“空中挑夫”助增收

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of drones in apple harvesting in Dalian significantly enhances efficiency and reduces fruit damage, showcasing the integration of technology in agriculture [1][2]. Group 1: Technology Integration - Drones are being utilized for the first time on a large scale in apple harvesting, marking a new phase of "Agriculture + Technology" in Dalian [1]. - The use of drones has reduced the transportation time from 30 minutes to just 2 minutes for the same weight of apples, demonstrating a substantial improvement in operational efficiency [1]. Group 2: Economic Impact - The cost of drone transportation is approximately 0.13 yuan per pound, which is higher than manual labor by about 500 yuan for transporting 10,000 pounds of apples, but the overall benefits outweigh the costs due to reduced fruit damage [2]. - The quality of apples transported by drones is significantly improved, leading to higher market prices and overall increased revenue for farmers [2]. Group 3: Agricultural Policy Support - Dalian has added over 300 agricultural drones this year, supported by government policies such as agricultural machinery purchase subsidies, indicating a strong push towards modernizing agricultural practices [4]. - Drones are becoming a common tool in various agricultural processes, from pest control in spring to fruit transportation in autumn, thereby reducing labor intensity and enhancing production efficiency [4].