MAZU丨Shaanxi: MAZU agricultural application scenario applied in Central Asia

Since the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) launched MAZU, the Chinese solution for Early Warnings for All initiative, Shaanxi, as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and a key node of the Belt and Road Initiative, has taken the initiative and acted proactively. It has undertaken the construction of agricultural application scenarios under the MAZU framework, injecting new momentum into agricultural development in countries along the routes.

　　           The MAZU agricultural application scenario Source: Shaanxi Provincial Meteorological Service

Based on the agricultural development characteristics of arid and semi-arid regions along the Silk Road Economic Belt, and closely focusing on the need to build a source of new quality productive forces in the agricultural sector, the Shaanxi Provincial Meteorological Service has developed the MAZU agricultural application scenario. It has established a dual-wheel-driven architecture consisting of Zhitian (Monitoring and Early Warning Foundation) and Erzuo (Ecological Agricultural Services), with a focus on developing smart agricultural service systems for key crops and meteorological support systems for new quality productive forces.

In October 2025, at the the 32nd China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair (CAF) , the MAZU agricultural application scenario was officially launched for international users. At the same time, the China-Uzbekistan Meteorological Service Demonstration Station for Apple Orchards was included in the list of achievements of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training Demonstration Base .

From April 16 to 17, during her visit to Shaanxi, Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), spoke highly of Shaanxi's achievements in building smart digital meteorological systems, meteorological early warning, meteorological services for agriculture, and training of agrometeorological professionals. She expressed hope to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with Shaanxi to jointly inject new impetus into the sustainable development of the global meteorological cause.

Building a "digital sensing system" for global agriculture, making early warnings more accurate and timely. The MAZU agricultural application scenario integrates agrometeorological service products from the CMA and local meteorological services, and combines multi-source data including ground observations and satellite remote sensing. It realizes comprehensive and three-dimensional (3D) monitoring of crop growth (NDVI), soil moisture distribution and other indicators, providing scientific support for agricultural disaster prevention and mitigation.

Furthermore, the platform has extended its services to cross-border logistics. Focusing on the "steel camel fleet" — the China–Europe Railway Express, which runs across Eurasia, it provides real-time meteorological queries and one-week refined weather forecasts for cities along the six rail routes departing from Xi’an, safeguarding the smooth flow of Silk Road trade.

Practicing tailored services with a "one country, one strategy" approach, making technologies more practical and effective.Instead of adopting a one-size-fits-all service model, the MAZU agricultural application scenario provides customized meteorological service solutions based on the agricultural development needs of different countries.

For Uzbekistan’s apple industry, Shaanxi meteorological authorities, in cooperation with universities including Northwest A&F University, have built two meteorological service demonstration stations for apple orchards locally and developed exclusive frost damage forecasting products, helping upgrade the local apple industry and boost its efficiency.In response to Tajikistan’s needs for wheat production and drought prevention, customized services are provided to build a solid meteorological defense for local food security.

The all-in-one intelligent device for the MAZU agricultural application scenario was developed to reach the "last-mile" .Integrating high-performance computing, multi-source data and intelligent algorithms, this plug-and-play device supports multiple languages and can independently complete high-resolution numerical forecast analysis and disaster model operations locally. Acting as an "super brain", it enables remote areas with poor network conditions to also access early warning services.

To ensure the MAZU agricultural application scenario can be truly put into use and fully integrated locally, the Service has formed a professional team of 41 experts, serving as a bridge connecting China’s meteorological technology with countries along the Silk Road.Up to now, Shaanxi has hosted 4 high-quality international agricultural training sessions for 253 participants. Through in-depth research, 228 demand forms for meteorological services have been collected from SCO and Central Asian countries and customizated coordination mechanisms have been established with the hydrometeorological services of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

At present, the first all-in-one intelligent device for the MAZU agricultural application scenario is ready for delivery. Two mini intelligent weather stations have arrived in Uzbekistan and will be commissioned at the China-Uzbekistan Meteorological Service Demonstration Stations for Apple Orchards. Shaanxi meteorological departments will continue to deepen the development of the MAZU agricultural application scenario, contributing more to the joint construction of the B&R Initiative and the sustainable development of global agriculture.

Author: MA Nan, LIU Yadong and ZHANG Bin

Editor: ZHOU Ying