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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Chongqing, November 7 (Xinhua) — Liu Wanyun's family has passed down the arduous task of hand-picking lemons, bowing before each golden fruit. Farmers carried heavy sacks full of lemons down the mountain on their shoulders and backs. But now, advanced technology offers them new assistance and relief.
In a fruit orchard in Shuikou Village, Tongnan District, Chongqing City, southwest China, Liu Wanyun and his fellow villagers scurry among the trees, picking sun-drenched lemons as the morning haze is cut by the whir of a drone hovering precisely above the orchard before lowering its hook and lifting sacks of freshly picked fruit.
A drone carrying 100 kg of lemons glides down the mountainside and deposits them into the back of a waiting truck, after which the unmanned vehicle quickly returns for more. This scene captures the dawning era of human-machine collaboration, transforming the lemon industry in the mountainous city of Chongqing.
"A few drone flights are equivalent to a whole day's worth of work," Liu Wanyun said.
According to drone pilot Yan Qing, the orchard drone model can be used in scenarios such as spraying, seeding, and overhead cargo handling.
The drone, developed using the latest advances in artificial intelligence and computing power, is capable of autonomous flights without human intervention and obstacle avoidance in all directions.
"A single drone operator can transport up to 20 tons of lemons in a day—an amount that would take ten workers two days," noted Yan Qing. "This doesn't just reduce labor costs; it dramatically increases efficiency." He added that the drone charges to 100 percent in just 10 minutes and takes off again, ready for new tasks.
Drone-harvested lemons arrive at Snow King Agriculture (Chongqing) Co., Ltd., where robotic arms carefully place the crates of lemons on a conveyor belt. Within just 15 minutes, the citrus fruits pass through cascades of washing jets of water, intelligent sorting systems, and precise scales before being packaged and stored in a warehouse.
In the sorting area, where a dozen sorting lines work in unison, a digital system, like an all-seeing eye, assesses every lemon. It detects the slightest imperfections with near-perfect accuracy: from rot and dark spots to bumps on the fruit's surface.
"Our fully automated production line can process over 50 tons of lemons per hour, with daily output exceeding 1,200 tons," said Li Jincheng, the company's CEO. "Automation improves both speed and quality, which is a win-win for both producers and consumers," he added.
Across China, traditional industries are undergoing technological transformation to boost productivity and open new avenues for growth.
China, the world's second-largest economy, recently released an important document outlining its priorities for its 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. The document, in particular, emphasizes the need to "achieve a high level of scientific and technological independence and self-sufficiency" and "stimulate the continuous development of new productive forces" over the next five years.
Numerous companies across China are accelerating their digital transformation efforts. According to the China Internet Development Report 2024, the country currently has approximately 10,000 digital workshops and smart factories. Of these, over 400 facilities have been recognized as national model factories for smart manufacturing, utilizing technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital twins.
This boost has contributed to the expansion of Tongnan lemons into overseas markets. In the first nine months of 2025, the Tongnan district exported 14,400 tons of fresh lemons valued at 176 million yuan (approximately $24.84 million), up 10.8 percent and 58.6 percent, respectively, from the previous year.
"We can now schedule lemon shipments to areas within a 40-day shipping window," said Li Jincheng. "Technology helps us meet the demands of our overseas customers."
Currently, the total area of lemon plantations in Tongnan is 320,000 mu (approximately 21,330 hectares). This year, lemon production is estimated to reach 350,000 tons, with a total value of 9 billion yuan.
"The next step will be to deepen processing technologies and build an integrated value chain from cultivation to deep processing of fresh fruit," said Hu Guangjian, head of the Tongnan District Committee for Agriculture and Rural Affairs. "We strive to make the Tongnan Lemon brand known far beyond China," he stated. -0-
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