The succulent cherries cling to a branch. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_8455931f4eab]

Zhuwu town in Haiyang, Yantai has emerged as a pioneer in embracing digital technologies to promote the development of the cherry industry.

"Empowered by cutting-edge temperature control techniques, our digitally-equipped cherry greenhouses bring cherries to market two to three months earlier than conventional greenhouses," said Zhang Xiuqiang, technical director of Yantai Jiuling Agricultural Technology Co Ltd. "This year's cherries are not only large in size but also boast exceptional taste. During the Spring Festival holiday, they were sold at a price of 800 yuan ($114) per kilogram in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. From the Spring Festival to the end of June, consumers can enjoy fresh cherries grown in our digitally-controlled greenhouses," Zhang added.

Zhuwu town has established a high-standard digitally-facilitated cherry industry park covering an area of over 300 mu (20 hectares), built 30 digitally-equipped cherry greenhouses, and planted over 2,400 new varieties of cherry trees.

These greenhouses are equipped with advanced facilities, including temperature, humidity, and environmental monitoring devices, pest and disease monitoring systems, temperature control systems, and intelligent water and fertilizer integration machines. Through precise temperature control and refined management enabled by these digital facilities, the quality and yield of cherries have been significantly enhanced.

Furthermore, collaborations have been carried out between Zhuwu town and prestigious institutions like Tsinghua University and the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences to conduct data tracking and monitoring of the entire cherry growth cycle, helping to develop multiple replicable and effective cherry industrial chain databases.

Additionally, a Rural Vitalization Service Center has been established, inviting research institutes, agricultural experts, and e-commerce livestream anchors to provide training for cherry growers.

Zhuwu town's success story serves as a testament to the transformative power of digitalization in agriculture. By embracing technological advancements, the town has not only revolutionized the cherry industry but also paved the way for sustainable and prosperous agricultural development.