A train-like trail applicable in mountainous areas that spreads pesticide automatically will be debuted at the Huangyan Mandarin Germplasm Source Research Center on Sunday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Automation, digitalization and branding are key to further expand the recognition of Huangyan mandarin, said experts.

A train-like trail applicable in mountainous areas that spreads pesticide automatically will be debuted at the Huangyan Mandarin Germplasm Source Research Center on Sunday, according to Huang Zhendong, director of Citrus Research Institute of Zhejiang Province.

The automation system is jointly developed by the research institute. As Huang further explained, a machine will climb up the hills via the trail to spread pesticide for mandarins. This will help to address labor shortage, which may become a major challenge for mandarin cultivation in the future, said Huang.

Echoing Huang is Tian Shengke, a researcher from the College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University.

"Most of the mandarin farmers in Huangyan are in their 50s or 60s now. Labor force will be one major challenge in the future. The use of more machinery and automation system will not only address such labor shortage but also increase production. Profit of farming will be increased and this profession will thus attract younger people," said Tian.

Therefore, Tian's team has also provided local farmers with an automated system for spreading pesticides.

At present, the cultivation of Huangyan mandarin is mainly dependent on farmers' experiences. In this sense, the criteria for watering, fertilization and shaping plants vary significantly among different farmers, said Tian.

Such great disparity in cultivation is not conducive to the standardization of agricultural products. Therefore, Tian's team is working with Huangyan Mandarin Germplasm Source Research Center to collect various data, such as the fundamentals of soil, to prepare for digitalization.

He said these data can not only improve production during good weather but also help devise corresponding solutions to address extreme weather conditions such as typhoons and freezing temperatures.

Public data shows that the annual production volume of Huangyan mandarin, produced in Huangyan district of Taizhou city, East China's Zhejiang province, comes at 65,000 tons, with the annual industrial output reaching 400 million yuan ($55 million).

But Huang of Zhejiang University points out that there still lacks a well-established brand for these mandarins. The 17.5° oranges produced by Nongfu Spring, a bottled water giant based in Zhejiang, serve as a good example of fruit branding. A highly recognized brand can facilitate production standardization and bring in more profits for farmers.

"Zhejiang is rich in technical support and government support. It should be one of the best places to realize the branding of certain widely planted agricultural products," he said.