Technological innovation helps Zhanhua district develop its year-round winter jujube cultivation. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

From rain-fed gamble to tech-driven harvest

"As winter jujube farmers, we used to gamble on the weather. A good year can bring us a big harvest, while extreme weather might ruin a whole year's hard work," said Zhanhua's 28-year veteran, Wang Chunjun.

He now manages double-film houses equipped with smart climate control, fertigation, and pest monitoring, rather than open fields. "These high-tech tools not only save labor but also stabilize both the quality and yield of the winter jujubes," said Wang.

In recent years, Zhanhua has committed to winter jujube cultivation with increasing technological investment. Research institutes and post-doctoral stations have developed 10 superior lines, such as Zhandong-2 and -3, while a digital platform extends over 96,000 mu (6,400 hectares) across nine towns and 11 demonstration parks, collecting real-time data.

Furthermore, the district has established an agricultural development group that buys all its jujubes from cooperatives and manages flagship factory stores on JD.com and Douyin, delivering straight from farm to table. This year's Zhanhua winter jujube harvest is forecast to reach 375 million kilograms, generating nearly 8 billion yuan ($1.12 billion), solidifying its status as a golden brand.