I. Breakthroughs in Fruit and Vegetable Sorting and Quality Detection Technology

1. Machine Vision Recognition System

Principle: Using high-resolution industrial cameras + LED light sources, the system analyzes the color, size, and defects of fruit and vegetable surfaces through modeling algorithms, achieving millisecond-level sorting.

Case: Linong Machinery's sorting equipment can identify subtle defects such as skin wrinkles and rot, with a sorting accuracy of 98% and an efficiency 20 times higher than manual sorting.

Innovation: Spectroscopic technology (such as near-infrared) is used for internal quality detection, with a detection rate exceeding 90% for problems such as sugar content, browning, and hollowness.

2. Intelligent Grading and Packaging

Weight/Size Grading: Imported sensors combined with a dynamic weighing module solve the problem of measurement deviation during high-speed movement, supporting automatic boxing by weight or quantity.

Packaging Automation: Vacuum packaging machines and modified atmosphere packaging equipment extend the shelf life. For example, litchi preservation bags combined with quantum dormancy technology extend the shelf life to 35 days.

II. Innovation in Full Mechanization of Field Production

1. Tillage and Land Preparation

Integrated Equipment: The integrated rotary tilling, ridging, and mulching machine combines multiple processes such as ditching, pressing, and mulching, increasing efficiency by 5 times (e.g., sweet potato planting).

Cost-Effectiveness: In Beijing greenhouse tomato production, using mechanical stubble removal + fertilization saves 320 yuan per mu, saving over 30,000 yuan annually for large-scale farms.

2. Transplanting and Harvesting Technology

Automatic Transplanter: Beidou navigation + automatic seedling planting system (e.g., Xinjiang pepper transplanting), planting 160 seedlings per minute, equivalent to the work of 30 people, with a seedling survival rate exceeding 95%.

Low-Loss Harvesting Scheme:

Rapeseed "two-stage mechanical harvesting" (cutting and drying first, then threshing), reducing machine damage rate to below 7%, increasing yield by 60 jin per mu.

The fresh sweet potato combined harvester achieves integrated digging, cleaning, and boxing, reducing damage rate by 50%.

III. Post-Harvest Processing and Upgrading

1. Automated Cleaning and Sorting

Ultrasonic Cleaning: Removes pesticide residues by over 85%, and water-saving design reduces energy consumption by 30% (e.g., fully automatic vegetable washing machine).

Preprocessing Equipment: Cutting, dehydration, and drying equipment account for 40% of the processing market. Heat pump dryers precisely control temperature, expanding the applicable range of fruits and vegetables to include goji berries and litchis.

2. Deep Processing and Preservation Technology

Freeze-Drying Technology: Vacuum freeze-drying equipment (e.g., Guangdong Zhensheng Technology) reduces the water content of litchis to ≤5%, extending the shelf life to 2 years.

Field Pre-cooling: Mobile cold storage spray device (South China Agricultural University) reduces pre-cooling time from half a day to 10 minutes, reducing losses in the "first kilometer".

IV. Market Trends and Development Prospects

1. Regional Pattern and Growth Drivers

Asia-Pacific Leading Growth: China and India are driving the market, with fruit and vegetable processing equipment growing at an annual rate of 6.5% (higher than the global average of 6.3%).

Sub-sector Explosion: Packaging equipment (compound annual growth rate of 7%) and fruit and vegetable powder processing (demand for healthy snacks) are becoming new growth points.

2. Technological Integration Direction

AI and the Internet of Things: Automated sorting lines integrate big data analysis to achieve self-optimization of sorting standards (e.g., dynamic adjustment of color value levels).

Green Technology: The proportion of energy-efficient equipment (such as heat pump drying) is increasing, and the application of biomass energy reduces carbon emissions.

3. Challenges and Responses

High Cost Barriers: Small and medium-sized enterprises can choose mobile equipment (e.g., 1-ton capacity mobile dryer, unit price 20,000 yuan).

Skills Gap: Government-enterprise cooperation training mechanisms (e.g., Beijing Agricultural Machinery Station provides hands-on training to farmers) alleviate the difficulty of technology implementation.

V. Implementation Path Suggestions

1. Prioritize Needs Assessment: Select specialized equipment based on crop type (leafy vegetables/root vegetables/berries). For example, fruit and vegetable sorting should prioritize the configuration of internal quality detection modules.

2. Technology Selection Strategy:

Large-scale processing plants: fully automated production lines (e.g., Turatti Group integrated systems).

Small and medium-sized farms: modular prefabricated equipment (e.g., Yibang shredder, supporting rapid assembly).

3. Utilization of Policy Benefits: China's agricultural machinery subsidies cover 50% of equipment purchase prices (e.g., Beidou navigation transplanters). Exporting companies should focus on tariff avoidance (setting up factories in Southeast Asia).

4. Cooperation and Training: Collaborate with universities (e.g., South China Agricultural University) to develop customized solutions and participate in "enterprise + village committee" emergency service teams to reduce maintenance costs.