In the farmland of Gansu Nongken Yinma Farm, sensors explored the soil to monitor humidity, and micro weather stations chased light and explored wind. "In 2024, the yield per mu of sunflower per mu exceeded 280 kilograms, an increase of 15%. "Zou Changsheng, director of the farm project department, introduced that smart irrigation is adopted, and the harvest is guaranteed, and the water consumption per mu of land has been reduced from 650 cubic meters to 300 cubic meters.

Irrigation water comes from Shule River. Flowing out of the Qilian Mountains and nourishing the desert oasis, Shule River provides irrigation water sources for 1.3442 million mu of farmland in 22 townships in Jiuquan Yumen City, Guazhou County, and 6 farms including Gansu Agricultural Reclamation.

As one of the three inland rivers in the Hexi Corridor, the annual precipitation in the Shule River Basin is less than 70 mm, and the annual evaporation is as high as 2,800 mm. How can the water-scarce Shule River save water in depth while ensuring irrigation water?

Water flow is accompanied by information flow, the water network is connected to the Internet, and the reservoir is connected to the database - an exploration of digitally empowered and water-saving agriculture is underway.

"We 'installed' the Shule River into the computer." Zhang Farong, deputy director of the Planning Department of the Water Resources Utilization Center of Gansu Province, introduced that the model is constructed using geographic information systems, building information models and other technologies, simulate and simulate river channels, canal systems, reservoirs, sluices, etc. in proportion to build the "digital twin Shule River". In 2022, Shule River was listed by the Ministry of Water Resources as one of the first pilot projects for "first-first-test" and "first-test" pilot projects for "first-test of the construction of digital twin irrigation areas".

How does this digital river work?

Look at the source of water diversion, large model calculations, and continuous optimization of scheduling solutions. With the digital inputs, "clear water" gushing out of the Changma Reservoir from the large screen, the instantaneous flow at key nodes of the main channel continued to jump, and the system quickly generated multiple scheduling plans. "We find the best solution based on the water use situation in the water supply and arrange personnel to patrol and repair in advance." said Xu Baoshan, deputy director of the Operation and Dispatch Office of the Shule River Basin Water Resources Utilization Center. Big data is the first to "run" and scientifically dispatch the three reservoirs of Changma, Shuangta and Chijinxia, ​​so that the water resource allocation is more accurate.

Look at the water diversion, the manual lifting gate becomes automatic control, and the accuracy moves from "centimeter level" to "mm". When the instructions are issued, click on the mobile phone, the gate slowly rises, and the water flows downstream along the canal system. "Gate gates are like faucets. In the past, the gates were lifted by experience. How long and how much water was released? It was estimated that it would be fine." Ren Xiaowen, deputy director of the Science and Technology Information Department of the Water Resources Utilization Center in Shule River Basin, introduced that the gates now have sensors and automatic control systems installed. "The computer opens and closes with one click, and the gates are lifted and lowered accurately, and water is released as needed."

Look at the patrol canal and protect the canal, the probe "stands" and the mouse "patrols". The 217-kilometer-long backbone channel in the irrigation area used to rely entirely on "walking with legs" and "glazing at each other". "Traveling 10 kilometers a day, regardless of the end," Ren Xiaowen said. "Now, the backbone channels have high-definition cameras and unmanned patrol systems, which can conduct video inspections in real time, and promptly detect and deal with problems such as leaks, silt and blockage."

Watch water distribution and use accurate measurements to allow farmers to use "understanding water". The gate of the dock channel is the place where the irrigation area and the water users hand over the water. A magnetostrictive liquid level meter is erected next to the canal, transmitting signals, calculating flow, and sending data packets to the backend every half hour. Data are displayed in the mobile phone of the water piper of Yueyadun Village, Shuangta Town, Guazhou County. "In the past, the water volume was estimated and 3 times a day was measured. Now there is new equipment, and the water volume per round is automatically settled. It is clear how much water the village has used." Gou Yanli said that now 698 bucket entrances in the irrigation area have installed real-time water monitoring system, and water users have information shared, and the villagers use "understanding water" and pay "safe money".

Look at watering and watering, irrigation, so that crops can drink enough water and use less water. "The corn harvest will be good in 2024." Li Junfang, a villager in Shihezi Village, Xiaxihao Town, Yumen City, said that he is now using integrated water and fertilizer technology, small water droplet irrigation, irrigation of land as needed, and precise fertilization, saving labor and water.

"When you use water, just click on the mobile phone." Teng Yulin, a villager in Daijiatan Village, Yumen Town, Yumen City, introduced that by clicking on the "Shule River Smart Water Service" WeChat applet, you can check the water quantity and water charges at any time and recharge with one click.

The big water network connects small farmers. The digital twin Shule River irrigation area and high-standard farmland construction are being carried out simultaneously. Integrated water and fertilizer irrigation systems, reservoir water level sensors, etc. are built in the fields to form an irrigation water network of "reservoir + backbone channels + digital twin technology + high-standard farmland".

The calculation data, algorithms and computing power are simultaneously exerted, and the Shule River irrigation area is moving steadily towards the water-saving irrigation area. "Digital mapping and simulated reality will allow virtuality to interact with reality. We will further strengthen the application of new technologies, comprehensively improve the level of digitalization and informatization, continuously expand application scenarios, and further improve the ability to save and intensively utilize water resources." Zhang Farong said.