Investing in new infrastructure

Yuexi county in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province, is applying 5G and internet of things technologies to cultivate apples and raise local incomes. [Photo provided to China Daily] 

Impoverished county sees a fruitful future, thanks to cutting-edge technology implementation at local orchard, Fang Aiqing and Huang Zhiling report in Yuexi, Sichuan province.

A rural county in Southwest China is using cutting-edge technologies to grow apples in a more efficient and environment-friendly way.

The Liangshan mountainous area is one of the most underdeveloped regions in China, and Yuexi county in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province, is among the 52 counties still yet to shake off their impoverished status.

However, intensive agricultural industries are improving incomes and helping Yuexi with its efforts to alleviate poverty.

The modern apple orchard, located 12 kilometers away from the center of Yuexi, has introduced both 5G and internet of things technologies, supported by the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, to monitor PH value, humidity, salinity and temperature of the soil, as well as the weather conditions and pest control.

It's also able to track sales, so that the orchard staff can adjust its varieties and growing plans in response to market changes.

An automated facility washes, selects and categorizes apples before a group of handlers further sort and pack up the fruit in Yuexi county. [Photo provided to China Daily]