French media: China's "smart agriculture" is accelerating
A article published by French newspaper World reported that the use of drones to spray pesticides is rapidly developing in China.
The newspaper's correspondent in China, Pouille, wrote that a technological revolution is accelerating in China's rural areas. The use of drones to spray pesticides is seen by the government as an important measure for agricultural modernization and has been subsidized since 2018. China encourages the use of agricultural drones to promote the modernization of agriculture.
World newspaper pointed out that as the most advanced and largest country in the world in terms of drone pesticide spraying, China is experiencing explosive growth. The number of drones increased from more than 4,000 in 2016 to more than 300,000 in 2025. In Yunnan and Sichuan, some drones are even used to transport bamboo from mountains.
The EU's attitude is becoming more relaxed
World newspaper also introduced the situation in the European Union. The newspaper pointed out that compared with this, in the past, for a long time, the EU's attitude was more cautious. A directive issued by the EU in 2009 generally prohibited all aerial pesticide spraying. However, on December 16, the European Commission released a package of legislative proposals, planning to allow member states to directly approve the use of drones to spray certain pesticides.
However, in April this year, France became the first to pass legislation allowing the use of drones to spray pesticides, but with strict conditions: only plots with slopes over 20%, banana plantations or steep vineyards can use drones to spray pesticides; additionally, only organic biological control products or pesticides defined as "low risk" by the EU can be sprayed by drones. However, although the legislation has been passed, the implementation details have not yet been released.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853163040068803/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself