Smart Irrigation Project Launches for Dryland Corn in Inner Mongolia,China

A smart irrigation project for dryland corn has officially kicked off on October 20 in Wanshuiquan Town, Rare Earth High-tech Zone of Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Covering 7,760 mu (approximately 517.33 hectares) of high-standard farmland, the project aims to revolutionize traditional agricultural practices and enhance production efficiency in the region.

Shanghai Huawei Agritech undertakes the design and construction of the project. Ma Bin, the project director, stated that 80% of the total project volume is scheduled to be completed by December 25, with full delivery expected by April 30 next year. The project integrates advanced agricultural technologies, including "Nongtaitou" cloud-based central control systems and traditional pump house facilities to meet the diverse needs of different plots. Key equipment includes intelligent control cabinets, well-electricity dual-control cabinets, automatic backwashing sand filtration systems, automatic backwashing disc filtration systems, and "Xigengtian" cloud-based smart fertilizer applicators.

To achieve precise and efficient irrigation, the project adopts electric valves and solenoid valves for automatic and remote control. It is also equipped with the "Nongtaitou" digital agricultural cloud platform and intelligent weather stations, enabling farmers to monitor and control the growing environment and smart facilities via mobile apps. Terminal irrigation devices use low-flow drip tapes, realizing water-saving, fertilizer-saving, and precise irrigation. Additionally, the project encompasses electromechanical well engineering, water source development, and field consolidation, marking a complete shift from flood irrigation to precision irrigation in the area.

Local farmers are set to be the direct beneficiaries of the high-standard farmland construction. Before the transformation, farmlands in Wanshuiquan Town were fragmented, requiring substantial labor input, resulting in high costs, difficult mechanization, and low production efficiency. Extreme weather events also posed significant risks, dampening farmers' enthusiasm for grain cultivation. After the renovation, fragmented small fields will be merged into large, regular plots, greatly liberating labor forces and facilitating mechanized operations.

The intelligent upgrade further eases the burden on farmers. With smart irrigation and integrated water-fertilizer management, farmers can control irrigation and apply fertilizers along with water through their mobile phones. This precise management method not only supports dense crop planting but also reduces waste of water and fertilizers, lowering planting costs. "Based on the current plan, after the project is completed, the corn yield per mu is expected to increase by 400 kilograms," said Guo Xiaodong, mayor of Wanshuiquan Town, bringing great expectations to local farmers.