China's AI system helps bridge agricultural gaps in APEC economies

A Chinese-built AI platform is helping smallholder farmers across APEC economies fight back against extreme weather, delivering smarter tools to boost productivity, resilience and sustainability.

The Feiniao intelligent farming platform, developed by a team led by Professor Shi Qian at Sun Yat-sen University's School of Geography and Planning, is an AI-powered system that digitizes farm conditions, monitors daily crop growth and pest risks, and generates precision planting guidance, enabling effective agricultural management from planting to harvest.

During an interview with CGTN on Tuesday, Professor Shi discussed the role of AI in enhancing food security and shared her perspective on international cooperation in smart agriculture, particularly among APEC member economies.

According to her, the Feiniao system tackles a pressing challenge: how to help millions of small-holder farmers, who often lack both economic resources and technical know-how, adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

"The rising frequency of extreme weather events increases the risk of crop stress, and a large proportion of agricultural producers are small-holder farmers who often lack economic knowledge and practical planting capacity. We can frame its value along three dimensions: early warning, precise decision-making and broader reach. AI helps close productivity gaps between smallholders and large-scale commercial farmers," said Shi.

The technology has already moved from pilot testing to full deployment in China, while similar field-level trials are underway in several other APEC economies. Emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is not viable, Shi said the team will adapt its AI models to each location based on locally collected data.

"We have carried out adaptive local trials with agriculture partners in Southeast Asia. For instance, we localized our remote-sensing-driven AI models in Indonesia and Malaysia. We adjust our algorithm with local soil, climate and crop data sets. We also actively share China's practical experience on AI-powered early warning service and inclusive small farmer solutions. Looking ahead, we can build inclusive digital agriculture services so small-scale farmers across the APEC economies can actually benefit from AI tools," said the expert.

China's AI system helps bridge agricultural gaps in APEC economies

The Suki Kinari Hydropower Project, a flagship green energy initiative under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has elevated bilateral energy cooperation by delivering clean electricity and fostering technical collaboration.

Located in the Mansehra district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, the 884-megawatt project started construction in January 2017 and began operation in September 2024. Since then, it has generated more than 2.8 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity and saved nearly 1.3 million tons of standard coal annually, providing power to Pakistan's national grid.

"Our project is producing 884 megawatts of electricity. When it goes into the national grid, it will benefit not just our provinces, but the entire country," said Mubashir Hassan, a senior engineer at the project.

Beyond electricity generation, the project also contributes to skills development. Pakistani and Chinese engineers work together throughout the project's design, construction and operation.

For young Pakistani engineers, the project has also served as a valuable training ground, offering hands-on experience with advanced technology alongside their Chinese counterparts.

"I was a fresh graduate when I joined this project. When I came here, I saw the latest equipment, the best technology. I believe that the Chinese keep themselves up-to-date with the latest technology. I have learned so much and gained a great deal of knowledge from some of the best people in the field," said Malik Muhannad Danial, an engineer at the project.

Launched in 2013 as the flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC has made substantial progress over the years, moving from blueprints to power plants and ports.

CPEC hydropower project boosts China-Pakistan energy cooperation