The 2024 China International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition (CIAME), hosted from October 26 to 28 in Changsha, Hunan Province, concluded with unprecedented success, attracting more than 2600 exhibitors from around the world and over 200,000 visitors. This landmark event, organized by the China Agricultural Machinery Circulation Association, China Agricultural Mechanization Association, and China Agricultural Machinery Industry Association, spanned a vast exhibition area of 250,000 square meters, setting new records in scale, participation, and industry impact.
With the theme, "Building New Quality Productivity in Agricultural Machinery, Accelerating the Construction of an Agricultural Powerhouse," the exhibition is hailed as a “barometer” and “weathervane” for the Chinese agricultural machinery industry. Against the backdrop of a global trend towards larger, more advanced, and increasingly intelligent machinery, this year's CIAME displayed the latest technological achievements transforming traditional agriculture on an unprecedented scale.
The exhibition featured both traditional and specialty areas, including sections for planting and fertilizing machinery, plant protection equipment, smart agriculture and intelligent machinery, as well as zones dedicated to new materials and new energy. The event also held over 50 forums, including the Agricultural Machinery Market Development Forum, which addressed industry trends and challenges, and discussions tailored to specific crops and machinery needs.
Several companies showcased their latest innovations in electric machinery, such as electric tractors, harvesters, and unmanned drones for plant protection, offering attendees hands-on experiences to demonstrate the environmental benefits and superior performance of these electric-powered solutions. In a dedicated area, Hunan-based enterprises displayed a comprehensive range of newly developed machinery, including rice weeding robots, agricultural continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and camellia harvesting machines. These innovations reflect Hunan’s leading role in advancing mechanization for hilly and mountainous regions, where local manufacturers have gained national and international recognition for their product quality and advanced technology.
This year’s CIAME also drew an expanded international presence, with three additional international delegations participating and multinational enterprises joining the exhibition. To facilitate global connections, CIAME held the China International Agricultural Machinery Trade Summit on October 25, where over 600 international buyers from regions such as Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe connected with Chinese enterprises. Local giants like Zoomlion and CRCHI exhibited across impressive 3000-square-meter and 500-square-meter areas, respectively, while companies like Yiyang Fuji, Chenzhou Grain & Oil, Nongfu Electromechanical, and Nongyou each showcased across 400-square-meter displays. Smaller manufacturers made a remarkable debut, presenting unique machinery that introduced fresh perspectives to the market. Notably, Shandong became the top participant province, with over 520 enterprises in attendance.
Focusing on smart agriculture and the multi-scenario application of intelligent agricultural machinery, the event highlighted innovations in precision sowing, variable fertilization, and pest monitoring through dynamic demonstrations and interactive experiences. Key feature areas included dedicated pavilions for Hunan agricultural machinery enterprises, a smart agriculture and intelligent machinery zone, and an area focusing on strengthening weak links and addressing gaps in agricultural technology. Together, these specialized areas painted a comprehensive picture of the latest advancements in agricultural machinery, underscoring the sector’s role in enhancing productivity, sustainability, and technological sophistication across China’s agricultural landscape.
As CIAME 2024 closes, it leaves a resounding impact on both domestic and international participants, setting the stage for continued advancements in agricultural machinery that will drive forward the modernization of agriculture worldwide.