Call to accelerate development of precision agriculture for China’s asparagus growers
About 70% of China's crop is consumed domestically.
Asparagus cultivation in China started in the 1970s and has since taken off. China is now the world’s top producer, with an asparagus area of around 100,000 ha and just five provinces together growing 60% of its total crop.The asparagus market in China was forecast to reach a value of about US$32.44 billion by 2023, followed by further growth to $40.79 billion by 2029 thanks to a 3.9% growth rate. About 70% of China’s crop is consumed domestically – with green asparagus the type preferred by Chinese consumers – and the rest is exported. Efforts to further expand and enhance the asparagus industry in China are imperative in order to meet the growing demands of both domestic and foreign markets. But the industry faces challenges such as relatively low average yields compared to those in Europe, resulting in a loss rate of nearly 40% before the product even reaches the consumer.
What keeps China from growing more asparagus?
The development of the Chinese asparagus industry faces several limitations that need to be addressed for sustainable growth. These include:
- Disarray in the asparagus seed market: lack of quality seeds
- Lagging cultivation techniques
- Stem blight disease
To address these barriers, researchers are working on a breeding program focused on developing asparagus cultivars with traits including resistance to cold temperatures (cultivar can reach as low as -35°C), tolerance to saline (up to 0.4% salinity) and alkaline soils, and resistance to diseases. There are already over 30 commercial cultivars available in the market as a result of these breeding efforts.
Overly generalised approach to asparagus farming in China
Today’s asparagus management in China tends to be overly generic. More than 50% of asparagus growers in China are relatively new to the industry, driven by the high profit potential. These growers acquire their skills through training provided by local agricultural centres or by following the instructions of experienced neighbours. To manage fertiliser and irrigation practices, many Chinese growers rely on the guidance of the “Green Asparagus Book”, a standard management manual developed by local agricultural research centres. This manual has become popular for its comprehensive instructions for growers.
The farm management approach outlined in the “Green Asparagus Book” provides standard procedures to simplify the management process. This approach provides a comprehensive to-do list for growers to follow. While this approach is generally effective, it may not be suitable for all climate conditions or geographical factors. Certain exceptional circumstances, such as unpredictable climate changes or specific geographical conditions, can arise where this “one size fits all” solution may not be a perfect match.
Call for low-cost precision agriculture technology for asparagus cultivation in China
The integration of precision agriculture techniques in asparagus production plays a vital role in optimising crop management and promoting sustainable growth. European asparagus growers have the advantage of accessing multiple types of precision agriculture technologies and are strongly supported by the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In contrast, Chinese growers often do not embrace precision agriculture – instead relying on their experience or following standard guides to manage their crops – and they often face difficulties in adopting precision agriculture tools due to factors including cost constraints. Since they tend to farm relatively small plots, averaging around 2 ha, and sell their produce to distributors at a relatively low price of $1,000 per ton, these technologies can be overly costly for them to invest in. Therefore, “There is a pressing need for the development of low-cost precision agriculture technologies that are more accessible and practical for Chinese growers,” says Dean JiQin Yu (Asparagus Industry Research Center, WFIT, China).
Sensor fusion technology
Great potential lies in utilising sensor fusion technology – such as drones or satellite imagery – to provide valuable information on crop health, growth patterns and potential stress factors. Soil testing can also be employed to assess nutrient levels and pH, guiding specific fertiliser requirements. Consulting companies that specialise in sensor data fusion and machine learning interpretation can play a crucial role in bridging the gap for growers. They can provide management kits that utilise collected data to make informed decisions and optimise crop management practices. Implementing such technology is considered a worthwhile investment for Chinese growers, as it can provide fundamental technical support, allowing them to quantify and visualise various aspects of asparagus cultivation.
VRA automated fertigation systems
The management of fertiliser and irrigation constitutes a significant portion of raw material inputs and labour costs in asparagus production. Some Chinese growers have experimented with locally designed fertigation systems. However, these systems have primarily focused on mixing and supplying fertilisers without the support of data or reliability. For growers utilising flooding systems, prescription data can serve as a reference to determine the precise duration of flooding. Growers using modified dripping fertigation systems could leverage Variable Rate Application (VRA) technology to control the velocity of the dripper, ensuring precise application of fertilisers. This approach generally leads to higher yields and cost reduction.
Robotic harvest machinery
Asparagus production is a labour-intensive industry that relies heavily on manual labour. Labour costs in asparagus production have risen 52% worldwide in the last five years, presenting a challenge for China’s growers. The development of cost-effective robotic systems for asparagus harvesting could provide labour savings and enhance efficiency.
Evaluation of precision agriculture technology
The aim of calling for low-cost precision agriculture technology for asparagus cultivation in China is to create a more efficient and environmentally friendly system for asparagus growers, while ensuring higher yields and superior quality of asparagus produce. Before implementing precision agriculture techniques in asparagus cultivation, it is important to analyse their potential impact and benefits. The University of Bologna in Italy is currently developing an integrated LCC (Life Cycle Costing), LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), and S-LCA (Social Life Cycle Assessment) framework for this purpose. It expects that by applying precision agriculture tools in asparagus cultivation, the use of fertilisers can be optimised, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions such as CO2 and NO3 and thus a positive environmental impact. The ongoing R&D in precision agriculture techniques for asparagus cultivation will contribute to the advancement of more sustainable agriculture generally.
