Young innovators modernize Ningbo's agriculture

Lu Ziyi operates a drone. [Photo provided to Ningbo Daily]

In Ningbo, Zhejiang province, a new generation of students is transforming traditional farming with drones, digital content, and a bold entrepreneurial spirit.

At Qinweijing Farm in Ningbo's Yuyao city, the buzzing of drones blends with laughter as a group of young women in straw hats seed the fields with precision. Among them are Lu Ziyi and Jiang Yuxin, college students-turned agri-innovators.

"Our sunburnt faces are our badges of honor," they said with a grin, calling themselves "new-age farmers".

Lu, once a shy student majoring in study tour management, found her calling after volunteering in remote villages across Zhejiang. Inspired by rural children's fascination with agricultural tech, she returned to the land — not just to farm, but to teach.

"I realized that rural education can ignite dreams," she said.

Now, she leads farm-based study tour planning, designing experiences where students fly drones, learn traditional crop wisdom, and sketch beside rice paddies.

Jiang, who studies leisure service management, is building a niche in agri-focused new media.

"My goal is to make agriculture a trend," she said.

She co-founded a video account where content like "Beidou satellite meets tractor — farming on autopilot!" now attracts thousands of views. Her journey wasn't easy — grappling with clunky editing, skeptical viewers, and technical research — but she persisted.

"I want people to realize agriculture isn't just toiling, it's smart and high-tech," she added.

Lu plans to pursue rural operations certification, while Jiang aims to grow a professional media team.

"We want to show the world how vibrant modern farming can be," said Jiang.