China’s skyscraping pig farms are high on the hog, and their advanced tech feeds into food-security drive

In the heart of China's Hubei province, a 26-storey skyscraper stands tall, dwarfing the surrounding buildings. At first glance, it appears to be a typical residential complex, complete with air-conditioned rooms, an exercise area, and windows offering panoramic views of the streets below. However, the occupants of this towering structure are not humans, but pigs. This is a manifestation of China's recent trend of constructing high-rise pig farms, a testament to the country's commitment to smart farming. This innovative approach to agriculture is becoming increasingly crucial in China's drive to ensure food security for its 1. 4 billion inhabitants. Smart farming integrates various technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing, into agricultural practices. The Beijing government has pledged to support farmers by ensuring they have adequate supplies and has encouraged the adoption of intensive and industrialised farming methods. In 2019, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs jointly announced that multistorey buildings could be repurposed as farming facilities. With the backing of favourable policies and technological advancements, the value of China's smart-livestock-farming market is projected to reach 47. 7 billion yuan (US$6. 52 billion) by 2026, according to a report by LeadLeo, a market research institution. Zhang Shuai, a professor specialising in pig-farming technology at China Agricultural University, asserts that we are entering a digital era where smart farming is not only the future but also a symbol of technological progress. A striking example of this trend is the pig farm in Hubei's Ezhou, south of the Yangtze River, which opened in October. Another similar facility is currently under construction nearby. Once operational, these two buildings are expected to produce 1. 2 million fully grown pigs annually. Advocates of high-rise pig farms argue that they use a fraction of the land required by traditional farms and that advanced technology enables a small workforce to manage thousands of pigs. This is particularly beneficial as younger, educated workers are increasingly reluctant to engage in frontline livestock farming. However, the automation of farming tasks could make the industry more appealing. Pork is a staple in the Chinese diet, and China is the world's largest producer and consumer of this meat. The country consumes nearly 700 million pigs each year, accounting for 60 to 70 per cent of the meat consumption in China and roughly half of the global pig population. In 2022, China produced approximately 55. 4 million tonnes of pork. The country's 14th five-year plan emphasises the need to maintain stable pig production and a self-sufficiency rate of around 95 per cent. Other regions in China have already begun utilising digital and intelligent devices to innovate in agriculture. For instance, an aquaculture system that continuously monitors seawater parameters such as pH levels and dissolved oxygen is aiding farmers in breeding more fish. However, Zhang cautions that the feasibility of high-rise pig farms should be critically evaluated as they are not suitable for all locations. One of the main challenges is the treatment of pig manure, which requires substantial land areas. Zhang advocates for a moderate-scale approach to farming that emphasises sustainability and ecological recycling. Another significant challenge in high-rise pig farming is disease prevention and control, as many pig diseases can be transmitted through droplets and air, posing a significant health risk to the animals.