Mechanization in Rice Farming: From Seeding to Harvesting
A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Technology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2025 | Viewed by 115
Special Issue Editors
Interests: agricultural mechanization; intelligent agricultural machinery; precision seeding; harvesting technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: agricultural mechanization; structural optimization; precision seeding; smart harvesting technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Rice production has evolved from labor-intensive methods to mechanized, automated, and now intelligent systems. Starting in the mid-20th century, machinery for plowing, transplanting, and harvesting has improved efficiency and reduced labor demands. With advancements in sensors and control technologies, automation has enabled precise and autonomous operations. Today, intelligent technologies—such as AI, IoT, and big data—support smart seeding, irrigation, pest control, and harvesting, enhancing sustainability and productivity. This progression reflects not only technical innovation but also a strategic shift toward ensuring food security and advancing agricultural modernization through fully mechanized and intelligent rice farming systems.
This Special Issue aims to explore the full spectrum of mechanization in rice production—from precision seeding and transplanting to intelligent irrigation, pest control, and advanced harvesting systems. It seeks to provide a comprehensive view of technological innovations that improve efficiency, reduce labor dependency, and enhance sustainability in rice farming.
Recent advances in rice farming mechanization focus on integrating smart technologies to enhance precision, efficiency, and adaptability. Cutting-edge research includes the real-time adjustment of seeding and fertilization, autonomous navigation technologies using multi-sensor fusion (vision, UWB, and inertial data), and intelligent harvesting systems that are capable of yield monitoring and loss reduction. Other innovations involve AI-driven pest and disease detection, variable-rate irrigation systems, and digital twin models for predictive field management. Studies are also exploring lightweight, energy-efficient machinery for hilly terrains and smallholder applications, supporting inclusive and sustainable development.
We are soliciting original research articles that address mechanical innovations, system optimization, performance testing, and agronomic integration across all stages of rice cultivation.
Prof. Dr. Shan Zeng
Dr. Yu Wang
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- rice farming mechanization
- intelligent agricultural machinery
- energy-efficient machinery
- precision rice farming
- automation and robotics for rice farming
- smart harvesting technologies
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