The Zhangjiagang Economic and Technological Development Zone (Yangshe town) has made great efforts to integrate digital technologies into its agricultural sector. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

In recent years, the Zhangjiagang Economic and Technological Development Zone (Yangshe town) has made great efforts to integrate digital technologies into its agricultural sector to promote the high-quality development of its agriculture and boost rural revitalization, local news reported on March 3.

Digital technologies such as internet of things (IoT) have been widely used in the town, helping it set up three smart agricultural demonstration zones. Equipped with modern agriculture technologies and tools, farmers can produce better quality agricultural products, achieve a higher land utilization rate, improve fertilizer utilization rate and reduce carbon emissions.

Additionally, the town has explored new ways to promote the development of new business models such as e-commerce. Statistics show that in 2020, 11 new online trading platforms were set up in Yangshe town, generating a total sales volume of over 100 million yuan ($15.36 million), and accounting for more than 11 percent of the total value of its agricultural output.

Yangshe town has also launched online programs to offer free training courses on the planting of local special agricultural products such as grapes.

This year, the town plans to further promote the integrated development between its primary, secondary and tertiary industries, and improve the level of its smart agriculture.