Quadriplegic Farmer Thrives with Technology in China

In southwestern China, 36-year-old Li Xia has turned adversity into innovation by managing a high-tech farm despite being quadriplegic. Confined to a prefabricated home, Li can only move one finger and one toe. Nevertheless, he operates four greenhouses from his bed, utilizing sensors, cameras, and a computer program he created himself.

Li’s condition is a result of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder that progressively weakens muscles. This condition necessitates the use of a ventilator for breathing. Despite these challenges, he grows celery with the assistance of his 62-year-old mother, Wu Dimei. The greenhouses lie approximately ten meters (33 feet) away, and Li controls their operations through a computer screen mounted on an adjustable arm above his bed.

“Through this microcomputer and the program I developed, as well as a mobile app, I can monitor various data points from the farm, such as temperature, humidity, nutrient solution concentration, and pH levels,” Li explained. He uses a trackball to operate the cursor with his finger and employs a flex sensor attached to his toe to click commands.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Li’s journey took a dramatic turn in 2020 when a medical crisis left him in a coma and rendered him quadriplegic. “I was devastated,” he recalled. “But after a few months, I pulled myself together and looked for things that made sense.” This led him to discover hydroponics, a soil-less cultivation technique that requires less manual labor and allows for precise control over crops.

“I grew up in the countryside, so I’ve always been in contact with seeds, soil, and vegetables,” Li said. “I also love digital technologies and programming. I realized I could combine the two.” Self-taught in computer programming, he designed a circuit board to enhance his farming capabilities.

Li’s situation mirrors that of notable individuals with severe neuromotor disorders, such as Stephen Hawking, who communicated through a voice synthesizer, and Jean-Dominique Bauby, who authored “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” by blinking his left eye.

For the physical tasks involved in farming, Li relies heavily on his mother. “She is my arms and legs, and I am her brain,” he stated, illustrating the teamwork that underpins their operation.

The Family’s Resilience and Future Aspirations

Li supervises his mother’s work through a video link on his smartphone. Wu handles the manual labor, operating tools, measuring fertilizer, and connecting equipment. Despite the demanding nature of her role, including cooking and caring for Li’s ventilation needs, she remains committed. “I don’t have time to rest,” Wu told AFP, acknowledging the challenges they face. With support from her daughter, who assists with bathing Li, Wu manages to find fulfillment in her work. “But it’s worth it,” she added.

The family primarily relies on the income of Li’s sister and Wu’s pension, navigating financial challenges as they strive for stability. Li views the high-tech farm as a “niche” opportunity with potential for growth. He hopes it will not only provide a livelihood but also improve their living conditions. “If I succeed, it would allow me to fulfill a dream, but also to earn money and improve our living conditions,” he expressed.

In 2022, they relocated to a prefabricated home, and Li’s celery is now sold to a local supermarket chain. “We’re not making a profit yet,” he acknowledged about their farming venture, which he started in the same year. “But my dream is to expand this farm, turn it into a successful business, produce more, and earn more. My motivation is to see our vegetables grow, be harvested, sold, and end up on people’s plates.”

Li Xia’s story exemplifies resilience and the power of technology in transforming lives. With unwavering support from his mother and a commitment to innovation, he continues to pursue his dream against all odds.