News

China’s Zhejiang province boosts rural revitalization with intelligent agriculture

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2023

By Dou Hanyang, People’s Daily
Relying on its advantages in digitalization, Zhejiang province in east China has been vigorously developing future farms, which not only promotes the progress of intelligent agriculture, but also injects new impetus into the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.
In Nanxun district of the province’s Huzhou, fully-equipped demonstration parks have been built for fruit farmers, which provide planting functions including production demonstration, skill training and product exhibition.
In Ninghai county of Ningbo, Zhejiang, the living environment of aquatic animals in fish farms can be optimized through big data monitoring, and every breeding process is backed by intelligent technologies.
In silk farms of Shengzhou, Shaoxing of Zhejiang province, silkworms don’t feed on mulberry leaves but a unique type of fodder that enables them to spin cocoons.
Future farms systematically optimize the agricultural production management, operation model, and distribution system of agriculture with technological and institutional innovation. They are varied with different features in the farming, animal husbandry and fishery sectors.
Compared with traditional agricultural production, future farms rely on technology and bring out the full potential for the development of modern agriculture. They have higher requirements for mechanization, digitalization and intelligentization.
For instance, by employing artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and biotechnologies, a ranch in Zhejiang’s Haiyan county has achieved unattended operation, targeted feeding and intelligent environmental control.
Future farms are not only partial renovation of production and management technologies, but also comprehensive optimization of agricultural production models. Supported by digital technologies, such farms has distinctive advantages of intensive management of agricultural factors, intelligent and eco-friendly production, efficient management and diverse functions.
Future farms lay more emphasis on smoothing supply chains, so as to reshape the agricultural industry system and production models. They could be held by enterprises, villages or townships, with production and management models according to actual demands, which helps gather more social resources and thus achieve concentrated development.
In Nanxun district, a future farm was jointly built by a specialized company and local major growers. The company offers the grower one-stop services including plowing, planting, management, harvesting, storage, milling and sales. It also provides the latter with agricultural machinery services priced lower than the market and purchases their crops at a price that is 10 percent higher than the minimum level of the country.
As a result, the growers have seen their income go up by 200 yuan ($27.99) per mu (666.7 square meters), which has increased the collective income of the village by 376,000 yuan.
This new model, which combines villages, agriculture companies and farmers, has optimized land resources, equipment, technologies, human resources and other production factors. By incorporating more farmers into the industrial chain, it aims at win-win cooperation and helps achieve the common prosperity of farmers.
Future farms, by optimizing the organization of production, promote agricultural upgrading and offers new governance experiences for the development of the industry.
The regulation on animal epidemic prevention issued by Zhejiang province has absorbed the relevant experiences gained during the construction of future farms, including animal immunization, quarantine and harmless treatment.
This not only helps improve the digital management of animal epidemic prevention, but also sets a good example for other regions in developing intelligent agriculture.
Over recent years, China has deeply integrated the Internet of Things, big data, cloud platforms and other new technologies with agricultural development. The exploration of future farms has opened up new prospects for innovative agricultural development.
Accelerating the application of big data in agriculture and employing digital technologies in every link of agricultural development will promote the progress of intelligent agriculture, injecting new impetus into farmers’ income, rural revitalization and the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

News

N10bn Alleged Loot: EFCC Probes SGF Akume’s PA ,Torhile Uchi

Published

15 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Online Editor

Indications emerged that the personal Assistant to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Senator George Akume, Hon. Andrew Torhile Uchi, is currently in the facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over allegations bordering on corruption, bribery and money laundering amounting to a whooping N10 billion.

A highly placed source at the Commission yesterday, confirmed to our correspondent that the embattled Uchi was invited by the operatives of the Commission on Monday, upon a petition received by the anti-graft agency over Alleged properties he acquired in Abuja, Jos, Makurdi, Gboko and Wannune in Tarka, local government Area of Benue State amounting to over N6 billion.

According to the source, further investigations so far, has revealed that between December 2023 to date the anti-graft agency has been able to trace a whooping N1.6 billion that was allegedly used in buying purch cars through four new generations banks to nine car dealers in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Jos and Makurdi respectively.

The source further added that two Bureau de change operatives are currently been investigated by the Commission, over their alleged involvement in the scam, owing that most of the funds credited to embattled Torhile Andrew Uchi, emanated from their coys.

He said that the Commission is currently working towards getting a court nod to widen the scope of their investigations to the properties in Abuja, Jos and other part of the country to ascertain the source of the income and how the properties were allegedly purchased.

As of the time of filing in this report Mr. Uchi, is still in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, telling the dreaded operatives of the Commission how he allegedly got the funds which is largely believed to be proceeds from bribes.

Efforts to reach the spokesman of the Commission, Mr Dele Oyewale, proved abortive as his phone lines was said to be switched off.

News

Natasha suspended solely for unruly behaviour – Senate tells IPU

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

Online Editor

The Nigerian Senate has formally responded to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaint to the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), refuting allegations that her suspension was linked to claims of sexual harassment.

According to Vanguard, Senator Natasha had petitioned the global body, seeking intervention over what she described as an injustice against her.

However, in a letter signed by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate insisted that her six-month suspension was due to “gross misconduct and unruly behavior”, not allegations of sexual harassment or assault.

The letter, read by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, stated:

“The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

It further emphasized that “Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”

Additionally, the Senate called for a thorough investigation into the allegations she raised against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, maintaining that all due procedures were followed before her suspension.

Senator Natasha, however, vowed to continue her fight against “injustice”. Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has denied the accusations, asserting that he has never assaulted any woman.

The dispute between the two lawmakers intensified on February 20, 2025, after Natasha’s seat was changed during plenary. Their tensions date back to July 2024, when Akpabio rebuked her for alleged misconduct, telling her the Senate was “not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow.” He later apologized for the remark.

News

Gov Okpebholo recalls Edo Attorney General, Osagie, from suspension

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

Online Editor

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reinstated the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, exactly 37 days after his suspension.

A letter addressed to Osagie by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, Esq., and marked SGA. 15/NOL.XV111/215, conveyed the governor’s directive. The letter, dated March 12, 2025, and released at 8:15 p.m., stated that an investigative panel had exonerated Osagie of alleged financial infractions.

The letter read: “Having considered the report of the Investigative Panel set up by Government to investigate allegations of financial infractions reported against you, which has exonerated you from the said allegations, I write to convey the directive of the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, that you resume duties as the State Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice with effect from 12th March, 2025.”

Reacting to his reinstatement, Osagie expressed appreciation for the governor’s leadership, describing the decision as a testament to Okpebholo’s sincerity and vision for Edo State.

“I appreciate his sincerity of purpose and vision for the state. This is a clear indication that His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, means well for the state. I use this medium to reiterate my commitment and loyalty to him and his administration,” Osagie said.

He further pledged to support the governor in advancing Edo State, emphasizing his dedication to ensuring progress and recovery in the state’s governance.