China and India are currently testing an innovative technology that involves direct sowing of rice directly into fields.
Traditional sowing of rice involves a large number of stages, including growing seedlings, transporting them to the fields, and transplanting.
All this requires a lot of time, effort and manpower.
To cut costs, China is now starting to introduce unmanned rice farms. The main difference is that the seeds are sown directly on the field where the crop will grow.
The important thing is that the direct seeding rice farm is unmanned. That is, all necessary actions will be performed by robots.
The work begins with precision sowing: the seeder moves along a predetermined route, ensuring economical seed consumption and optimal sowing density.
It is planned that robots will also take care of the farm at all stages. For example, they will carry out plowing, treatment against pests and weeds, and harvesting.
“The spring rice planting season is now approaching in China. On March 26, Guangxi’s first unmanned rice farm was put into operation at the Yinong Agricultural Machinery Cooperative in Gangbei District, Guigang City.
Here in the demonstration field, an unmanned rice seeder sows rice seeds into farmland in an orderly manner according to a planned route, demonstrating the precise operation of the smart agriculture function,” notes China’s National Agricultural Technology Extension Center.
Since all farm data is collected using special sensors and displayed on screens, the operator always sees the condition of the crops and what problems require attention.
Moreover, all the technologies and necessary equipment for unmanned farms were developed by domestic scientists at the South China Agricultural Institute.
“Precision direct planting of rice saves labor and costs, stabilizes production and is efficient,” said academician Luo Xiwen.
At the same time, India is taking steps towards direct sowing and rice and precision farming.
Among other things, SBI Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of State Bank of India, signed a memorandum of understanding with ICAR-IIRR, Indian Institute of Rice Research.
It is planned that experiments in the field of direct sowing of rice will begin in the near future. If they are successful, there is no doubt that such an experience will be scaled throughout the country.
