Water-fertilizer integration equipment is in use in Wucheng county of Dezhou, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In 2025, Wucheng county, which administers Tanzhuang, launched a corn yield improvement project, providing nearly 1,000 sets of mobile drip irrigation and water-fertilizer integration devices. Wang signed up immediately, and now the equipment is fully in operation. "The mobile units are flexible and convenient, with a single machine capable of serving 30 to 50 mu," he said.

Tests show that the system helps farmers use water and fertilizer more efficiently. It saves more than 20 percent of irrigation water and more than 10 percent of fertilizer, compared with the figures before the system was introduced.

"I no longer have to keep an eye on irrigation and fertilization all the time," said Wang. "Now I just check the drip lines to make sure there are no leaks or blockages."