Such great disparity in cultivation is not conducive to the standardization of agricultural products. Therefore, Tian's team is working with Huangyan Mandarin Germplasm Source Research Center to collect various data, such as the fundamentals of soil, to prepare for digitalization.

He said these data can not only improve production during good weather but also help devise corresponding solutions to address extreme weather conditions such as typhoons and freezing temperatures.

Public data shows that the annual production volume of Huangyan mandarin, produced in Huangyan district of Taizhou city, East China's Zhejiang province, comes at 65,000 tons, with the annual industrial output reaching 400 million yuan ($55 million).

But Huang of Zhejiang University points out that there still lacks a well-established brand for these mandarins. The 17.5° oranges produced by Nongfu Spring, a bottled water giant based in Zhejiang, serve as a good example of fruit branding. A highly recognized brand can facilitate production standardization and bring in more profits for farmers.

"Zhejiang is rich in technical support and government support. It should be one of the best places to realize the branding of certain widely planted agricultural products," he said.