Based on a survey dataset of 1,833 family farms across five Chinese provinces, researchers from Germany found that the use of online agricultural information significantly increased agrochemical expenses, particularly among smallholders.

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#Agriculture #Farming #AgTech

🌱 New 'Core-Shell' Coagulant Cleans Farm Wastewater in One Step: Researchers developed PTyTS, a hybrid material that removes pesticides and fertilizer pollution simultaneously. Its unique structure captures both pesticide molecules and nutrients like nitrate and phosphorus.

🔬 Impressive Lab Results: PTyTS achieved significant removal rates: 58.1% for emamectin benzoate, 92.3% for total phosphorus, and 23.1% for nitrate nitrogen. It also formed larger, faster-settling pollutant clusters.

✅ Environmentally Safe & Effective: Lab tests show minimal titanium residue in treated water and no harmful by-products, indicating it's safe for wastewater treatment. The material offers a simpler, more effective solution compared to existing technologies.

#WaterTreatment #AgTech #Sustainability

⛏️ Over 12,000 abandoned coal mines in China could be repurposed for "agricultural experiments," turning tunnel networks into controlled farming labs.

💧 Researchers at the Shanxi Province Coal-based Resources Green and High-efficiency Development Engineering Center propose using these subterranean spaces for highly controlled farming tests, protected from climate change and weather fluctuations.

💡 Potential benefits include using geothermal energy for heat and treating contaminated groundwater for irrigation, contributing to sustainable farming research in extreme environments.

#AgTech #Innovation #Sustainability