Spring's arrival signals the start of critical farming activities, and around the Qingming Festival, wheat crops demand careful attention. This is when they're at their most vulnerable to rust and aphids, coinciding with the wheat heading stage. To combat these threats, Makit County in Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has been actively using plant-protection drones for efficient spring field management, ensuring precise pesticide application. These efforts are laying a strong groundwork for a stable and bountiful summer grain harvest.

In Wuyiluke Village, Yangtake Township, Makit County, green wheat in Tian Min's wheat fields swaying gently in the breeze. Along the field ridges, technicians skillfully operate plant protection drones. With the whirring of rotors, the drones soar over the wheat fields, evenly distributing atomized pesticide spray across the crops.

"These days, we're using drones for pesticide application. It saves both time and labor while delivering better results. This is the convenience brought by technological advancement," said Tian Min. "Through scientific management, our wheat is thriving remarkably. Now, every stage from cultivation to harvesting has been mechanized, making farming incredibly convenient for growers like us. The drones can complete aerial spraying tasks for 800 mu (about 53.3 hectares) of land daily, completely eliminating worries about missing critical agricultural timelines."

Compared with traditional manual spraying, the plant protection drones utilize China's Beidou Navigation system for precise aerial operations. This approach not only resolves issues like uneven pesticide distribution and crop damage from foot traffic, but also enables targeted delivery of pest control agents and herbicide chemicals. The technology significantly enhances efficiency, reduces labor costs, and effectively curbs pest and disease outbreaks through intelligent prevention and control measures.

Urayim Rosul, a drone operator from Yangtake Township, Makit County, explained, "Through the intelligent system of the drone, we can precisely calibrate chemical dosage based on pest infestation levels in different areas. This ensures effective prevention and control for every wheat field while eliminating common manual spraying issues like missed sprays or overlapping applications."

Yangtake Township is focused on ensuring a bumper wheat harvest this year. To achieve this, the township is working closely with farmers, emphasizing the importance of timely planting and adherence to best practices in field management. Agricultural experts are providing hands-on support in the fields, and the township is actively promoting the use of drone-based pest control. These comprehensive, technology-driven strategies are all aimed at protecting wheat production and increasing income for local farmers.

(The Media Convergence Center of Makit County, Reporters: Mirigul Dulkun, Usman Mamat, and Aynigar Adil)