Global Agri-Machinery Giants Forge Innovations Amid China’s Smart Farming Boom

November 23, 2025 — As China’s agricultural machinery sector accelerates toward intelligence and green development, global leaders CLAAS, John Deere, and Case IH have rolled out targeted strategies in recent weeks, blending localized solutions with cutting-edge technologies to tap into the dynamic market and strengthen their global competitiveness.

German powerhouse CLAAS announced a strategic partnership with Chinese agri-tech firm DJI Agriculture on November 20, aiming to integrate DJI’s AI visual recognition technology into its Lexion series combine harvesters. The collaboration, unveiled at a technical seminar in Beijing, will enable CLAAS machines to achieve 95% accuracy in real-time crop disease detection—an upgrade from the previous 82%—while optimizing harvesting paths via DJI’s satellite navigation modules.

“China’s progress in 5G and Beidou navigation creates unparalleled opportunities for smart agriculture,” said Stephan Timmermann, CLAAS Asia Pacific Director. “This partnership ensures our Lexion harvesters, already popular in Northeast China’s grain-producing regions, align with local farmers’ demands for higher efficiency and lower waste.” Industry data shows CLAAS has boosted its market share in China’s high-end combine segment to 18% this year, up 3 percentage points.

John Deere made waves on November 22 by confirming its adoption of Chinese-manufactured precision components for its 6M series tractors, tailored for Southeast Asia and China’s hilly regions. The move, which includes integrating RV reducers from Suzhou Green Harmonics with 1-arcminute precision, marks the first time the U.S. brand has sourced core transmission parts from Chinese suppliers for global models.

Concurrent with the supply chain update, John Deere launched its simplified Precision Farming App in Mandarin, featuring one-click access to Beidou positioning and soil data analysis. “Localization isn’t just about geography—it’s about technology accessibility,” noted Ramesh Palagiri, John Deere Asia Pacific Regional Director. “Our new app and component partnerships reduce equipment costs by 12% for Chinese smallholder farmers, while maintaining our quality standards.”

Case IH capped off a month of Asian outreach by demonstrating its Maxxum 150 tractors and Axial-Flow 7160 harvesters at the Harbin “Field Day” event on November 18, following a standout presence at the Qiqihar Green Food Expo in September. The equipment on display featured customized electro-hydraulic controls optimized for Northeast China’s black soil, enabling 20% faster plowing speeds compared to standard models.

“China’s northeast is a critical market for large-scale farming solutions,” said Maria Sanchez, Case IH Global Product Manager. “Our Axial-Flow harvesters, now with enhanced grain separation technology, address the region’s high-yield corn and soybean harvesting needs, while our AFS Connect system provides real-time fleet monitoring for large agricultural cooperatives.” Case IH reports a 25% increase in tractor sales in Heilongjiang Province this year.

Industry analysts highlight these moves reflect a broader trend: global agri-machinery brands are leveraging China’s tech ecosystem—from Beidou navigation to AI sensors—while adapting products to regional conditions. With China’s smart (agricultural machinery) market projected to reach $85 billion by 2027, such localized innovations are poised to drive global industry growth.