The northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an is positioning itself at the intersection of ancient agricultural heritage and modern digital innovation. At the China International Friendship Cities Conference, municipal agriculture officials presented a comprehensive blueprint for smart farming, digital crop monitoring, and international agricultural cooperation. The initiative highlights how the city is leveraging advanced technology to address traditional farming challenges while building robust global trade and research networks.

The Digital Transformation of Ancient Farmlands

During a dedicated forum on technology and agriculture, representatives from the Xi'an Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs outlined the city's progress in integrating digital systems into daily farming operations. The presentation, delivered during the conference held on Oct. 20-22, 2026, emphasized a shift toward sustainable, circular farming models. A primary example of this transition is Huyi District, which is actively working to establish itself as a regional model for sustainable agricultural practices.

Xi'an's strategy relies heavily on a collaborative ecosystem that bridges the gap between academic research, industrial manufacturing, and practical farming. By connecting research institutes directly with equipment manufacturers and local farms, the city has accelerated the development and deployment of targeted agricultural technologies.

Mechanization and Smart Machinery for Complex Terrains

A major focus of Xi'an's agricultural research is the development of small, smart machinery tailored for challenging environments. Unlike flat, expansive agricultural zones that easily accommodate large-scale industrial tractors, much of the region's farmland consists of difficult terrain, including:

  • Hillsides and sloped landscapes
  • Loess tablelands characterized by unique soil structures
  • Greenhouses requiring compact, maneuverable equipment
  • Small, fragmented fields that demand precise navigation

Despite these geographical constraints, the city has achieved significant mechanization milestones. According to data from the Xi'an Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs:

  • More than 89.7% of plowing, sowing, and harvesting of major crops in the city is now fully mechanized.
  • The contribution rate of agricultural science and technology progress has surpassed 70%.

The AI-Powered Monitoring Ecosystem

At the core of Xi'an's high-tech farming push is a smart agricultural monitoring platform. This system integrates multiple layers of data collection to provide farmers with real-time insights into their fields. The platform combines:

  • Satellite imaging for macro-level crop and land analysis
  • Aerial sensing via drones to capture high-resolution field data
  • Ground-based sensors deployed directly in the soil and crop rows
  • Internet of Things connectivity and artificial intelligence algorithms

By synthesizing these data streams, the platform monitors critical variables such as soil moisture, overall crop growth, and early indicators of pest infestations or plant diseases. This early detection capability allows farmers to intervene before localized issues impact overall yields. Additionally, the city is promoting smart drip irrigation systems that automate and optimize the delivery of water and fertilizer, reducing waste and improving resource efficiency.

High-Value Industry Chains and Quality Control Standards

The integration of technology has supported the growth of high-value agricultural sectors in the region. Xi'an has successfully established major industry chains, including:

  • A 10-billion-yuan ($1.4 billion) industry chain encompassing dairy, vegetables, and kiwifruit.
  • A 5-billion-yuan industry chain dedicated to grape cultivation and processing.

To maintain quality across these sectors, the city coordinates the entire agricultural lifecycle, from seed breeding and cultivation to final processing. This is supported by smart testing and digital traceability systems that track products from the field to the consumer.

Furthermore, Xi'an serves as a national pilot city for the whole-process quality control of high-quality specialty agricultural products. The city's agricultural testing center holds a unique position as the only local body in China to receive five national authorizations for agricultural product testing, ensuring rigorous compliance with safety and quality standards.

Expanding Global Agricultural Networks and Trade

Xi'an is leveraging its historical identity as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road to build modern international partnerships. The city currently maintains 42 friendship cities across 35 countries, alongside 73 friendly exchange cities in 44 countries.

These connections have already yielded concrete scientific and commercial outcomes:

  • The city hosts the Shaanxi center of the China-New Zealand Belt-and-Road Joint Laboratory on Kiwifruit, facilitating bilateral research.
  • Specialty agricultural products, including kiwifruit, pomegranates, and flowers, are exported to 26 countries and regions.
  • Logistics are supported by the China-Europe Railway Express freight service, which provides direct transport links to international markets.

Looking forward, the Xi'an Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has proposed several avenues for deeper international collaboration. These proposals include sharing digital rural development strategies, conducting joint research and smart machinery demonstrations, and facilitating two-way learning exchanges for agricultural technicians. The city also aims to explore the mutual recognition of agricultural product standards to streamline trade and expand markets for green agricultural products worldwide. The agriculture forum was one of four parallel forums at the conference, which drew more than 700 guests, including local government representatives from 61 countries.