Haimen district in Nantong will develop the first 5G-powered automated farm in Jiangsu province this year, according to officials from the district's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.

The move is meant to accelerate the integration of advanced information technology with agricultural production, operation and management and promote the application of intelligent agricultural equipment.

The project will encompass 20 hectares of rice and wheat in Xin’an village and 5,000 square meters of greenhouses in Zhengji village.

All terminals and intelligent control systems for internet of things are currently being installed and an agricultural big data platform is under construction, all of which are expected to start operating in late October. The farm already has access to a 5G network.

According to officials, the big data platform will serve as the brain of the farm and will collect and analyze information on agricultural equipment, pests, meteorological and soil conditions, and plants. It can also take action if needed.

Automated tractors, harvesters, transplanters, and drones will be used in the farm in place of human labor to ensure a safe, efficient, and high-quality production environment.