In the vast arid landscapes of northwest China’s Xinjiang region, a new kind of farming is taking root one that defies the scorching desert and rewrites the rules of agriculture. In Kuqa City, an advanced smart greenhouse has emerged as a symbol of this transformation, producing vibrant greens and sweet strawberries year-round with minimal water and no pesticides.
Built in May 2024 with support from the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, this 7,000-square-meter indoor farm harnesses hydroponics and intelligent climate control. Leafy greens and strawberries grow in nutrient-rich water, untouched by soil or sand. The greenhouse uses sensors to manage temperature, humidity, and irrigation, allowing crops to flourish even at the edge of the Taklimakan Desert one of the world’s largest shifting sand deserts.
The smart farm is part of China’s broader push to modernize rural areas through tech-driven agriculture. With deserts covering a quarter of Xinjiang’s land, the region has become a crucial testing ground for innovations that aim to boost food production while preserving resources.
Rows of spinach, lettuce, and strawberries thrive under glass panels, tended by workers who now rely more on digital dashboards than traditional tools. Among them is local farmer Eli Kerim, who manages nearly 0.27 hectares of strawberry crops. His responsibilities have evolved from basic fieldwork to analyzing data and monitoring growth trends.
“The work here expands my skills and knowledge,” said Eli, who often consults with technicians for advice. “Our first strawberry harvest sold out instantly.”
Currently employing 26 people, the greenhouse is expected to raise each worker’s annual income by about 40,000 yuan (roughly $5,554) and contribute 700,000 yuan in rent and dividends to the local village each year.
Smart agriculture is also thriving in northern Xinjiang’s Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, where vertical farming technologies are being put to the test. Inside a futuristic plant factory, leafy greens such as amaranth grow in ten-layer racks that rotate 360 degrees, ensuring even sunlight exposure and maximizing space efficiency.
Tomatoes, meanwhile, grow on vines that stretch up to 13 meters, hanging beneath the greenhouse ceiling. Their roots are immersed in carefully formulated nutrient solutions that support faster and healthier growth.
Senior agronomist Yan Ji helps oversee operations at the facility. He rides a hydraulic vehicle that moves along rails, enabling him to prune tomato plants or harvest produce without heavy manual labor. “Here we work mostly while standing no need to bend or squat for hours,” he said.
The factory blends natural and artificial light, optimized nutrients, and an isolated environment to minimize pests and disease. “Our tomatoes are high quality, yield well, and command good market prices,” Yan noted. The harvest season spans from October to July, with daily yields exceeding 300 kilograms.
Xinjiang has made significant progress in developing facility agriculture in recent years. By 2023, over 1.2 million agricultural units had been established, with vegetable plantations covering more than 44,600 hectares.
Experts see huge potential in scaling up these efforts. With abundant uncultivated land and ample sunlight, the region is well-suited for smart agriculture. These advances not only raise productivity but also improve rural incomes.
As tourists increasingly visit desert-edge farms to experience this unlikely green oasis, farmers like Eli Kerim take pride in their work. “Our strawberries are very sweet,” he said, “and so are our lives.”
