, March 29 -- Zhang Tong, 36, oversees his family farm along the Yellow River in Shandong Province, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology. Unlike past generations of farmers, Zhang relies on drones, smart machines, and precision irrigation to manage his 300-hectare wheat fields.

A sleek silver drone maps the plots, plans spraying routes, and checks for water stress, while snake-like pipes deliver water and fertilizer directly to plant roots, reducing water use by nearly 30 percent. "The pipes work like the fine blood vessels of the human body," Zhang explained.

Since starting his farming career in 2019, Zhang has embraced automation. Intelligent seeders planted his entire farm in a month, while a fertilizer blender adjusts nut...