On October 14th, in Horgos, Xinjiang, a visit to a modern agricultural industry park revealed an impressive smart greenhouse system where tomatoes thrive. The rows of tomato vines were meticulously organized, hanging neatly from the overhead supports of the greenhouse. Inside, a mix of Chinese and Western classical and pop music played in the background, contrasting with the outdoor temperature of about 13 degrees Celsius. Within the climate-controlled environment, the tomatoes were already bearing fruit, their roots nestled in coconut coir, receiving water with precision to the drop. Tasting the results, the large tomatoes were succulent and juicy, while the small ones offered a delightful sweetness.
In an exclusive interview, project leader Yuan Wei explained that Xinjiang is one of the world’s three major tomato production areas. The region benefits from lower energy costs and reduced summer cultivation expenses, making it an ideal location for tomato farming. Thanks to the sophisticated smart greenhouse system, each vine produces an average of 47 harvests per year, yielding over seven times the amount of an average tomato.
However, high yields demand higher standards of operation. Yuan noted that to maintain cleanliness in the greenhouse, workers must leave their phones in designated areas before entering and wear smartwatches that track their movements in real time. This technology helps to pinpoint specific areas for tomato picking and identifies which workers handled them.
Yuan also shared insights about the ambitious modern agricultural industry park that covers approximately 1,000 acres. It includes areas for organic produce production, research and training, and logistics processing. The use of advanced equipment like double-layer inflated membrane greenhouses, precision water and fertilizer systems, and vertical cultivation techniques enable large-scale, automated agricultural production.
The initiative has a total planned investment of 1 billion yuan, with over 500 million already invested, which includes support from a Jiangsu aid program. The project has successfully constructed 25,000 square meters of smart greenhouse space, advancing digital agriculture, smart equipment, and agricultural services.
“We generate around 120 million yuan in revenue from tomatoes alone, with an output value of approximately 400,000 yuan per acre,” Yuan elaborated. Eight unique varieties, including Provence tomatoes and Horgos cherries, are cultivated here, with harvesting seasons lasting up to nine months. Various agricultural products are sold through e-commerce platforms to regions such as Xinjiang, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Sichuan, with some even exported to Kazakhstan, and demand continues to outstrip supply, prompting plans for further expansion.
Moreover, the project has transformed local university students into modern farmers, engaging in over 40 training sessions annually with more than 700 participants. This initiative has also created job opportunities for over 150 local residents, with an average annual income exceeding 70,000 yuan. The smart greenhouse industry in China has been developing since 2016, with leading companies located in Beijing, Jiangsu, and other areas. Yuan expressed hope that the modern agricultural industry park in Horgos would serve as a model for the smart greenhouse sector in the future.
