Cotton harvest in Xinjiang, cotton fields show -technical style-

On October 17th, in Urumqi, Xinjiang, cotton harvesting is in full swing, showcasing the area’s innovative “smart cotton fields.”

Recently, in Wusu County, two enterprising individuals in their 20s are managing a remarkable 3,000 acres of “super cotton fields,” which are currently being harvested. The cotton-picking machines rumble through the fields, efficiently harvesting the fluffy white cotton as if they are large clippers.

“We’re using six cotton-picking machines, and we expect to complete the harvest in about a week. This year, the average yield is projected to reach 500 kilograms of seed cotton per acre, an improvement over last year,” said Ai Haipeng, one of the farm managers.

In these “super cotton fields,” every aspect of farming—from plowing and planting to managing and harvesting—is enhanced by advanced technology such as remote-sensing drones, agricultural drones, autonomous vehicles, and smart irrigation systems, making cotton cultivation both easier and more efficient.

“This unmanned and intelligent approach to cotton farming is becoming a trend in Xinjiang,” Ai Haipeng remarked. The average yield per acre in these “super cotton fields” has increased from 254 kilograms in 2021 to 420.9 kilograms in 2023.

In recent years, Xinjiang’s cotton cultivation has rapidly advanced towards full mechanization, and the concept of “smart cotton fields” is taking root both south and north of the Tianshan Mountains.

Currently, in the Jin Gou He Town of Shawan City, 5,000 acres of a “no-man’s farm” have matured, and mechanized harvesting is in full swing. This innovative approach was made possible through land transfer programs by the Hongji Agricultural Machinery Service Cooperative, achieving total automation in the farming process.

“As for plowing, we rely on a Beidou-guided plowing machine that operates on a set path; for planting, we use precision seeders; management is overseen by real-time monitoring systems; and harvesting is done using cotton-picking machines,” explained Han Bo, the cooperative’s chairman.

Upon entering the management center of this “no-man’s farm,” a large screen displays real-time data. Cooperative staff members describe it as the “smart brain” of the farm, where everything from water and fertilizer management to irrigation, pest control, and weather conditions is monitored seamlessly.

“With just four people managing 5,000 acres from a central location, our tools have turned into smartphones and computers, translating into an increase of at least 100 yuan per acre,” Han Bo added.

Xinjiang stands as China’s largest producer of high-quality commercial cotton, accounting for over 80% of the national cotton planting area. Today, cotton farming is evolving from full mechanization towards a more digitalized and intelligent approach.