Chongqing - In the summer heat of Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, temperatures can rise above 40 degrees Celsius. Inside a greenhouse in Chongqing, tomatoes and eggplants continue growing under carefully monitored conditions.

The person managing the farm, however, is not working in the fields.

Inside a modified container nearby, 37-year-old Li Xia monitors crop data and controls farming equipment through a computer. With only one finger and one toe still able to move, he operates pumps, sensors, and irrigation systems that keep his smart farm running.

"The container is not only my living space, but also my workplace," Li said.

Li has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. Over the years, he has gradually lost control of most of his body and now relies on a ventilator to breathe.

But Li said he does not want his life to be defined only by his illness.

"I think I am a bold and adventurous person, someone who has always wanted freedom," he said. "No matter how difficult the situation is, I try to change my circumstances."

A smart farm controlled remotely

Li's farm, Yuchen Farm, combines agricultural production with digital technology. Through programs he developed himself, he can remotely monitor greenhouse conditions, including temperature, nutrient levels, and irrigation systems.

"Every morning, I first check the farm data through an app," Li said. "If the temperature is too high, I can open the greenhouse system. If crops need water, I can start the pumps and complete irrigation through the computer."

His ability to manage the farm remotely comes from years of self-learning. After receiving a computer when he was about 20, Li began studying programming, electronics and agricultural technologies online.

"I was curious about many new things from childhood," he said. "I learned about electronic components, circuits and programming. Later, when we started building the smart farm, these skills all became useful."

While Li designs systems and manages operations digitally, his mother and younger sister handle physical tasks in the fields.

His mother, Wu Meidi, learned skills such as welding and equipment installation to support the farm.

"He is the brain, and I am his hands," she said.

Technology creates new possibilities for family farming

Li's journey into smart agriculture began after he learned about his condition through online research. Instead of giving up, he started looking for ways to continue participating in society.

The family moved closer to the farm, where a modified container became both Li's medical space and the control center for agricultural production.

For Li, the farm is not only a business project, but also a way to maintain independence and create value.

His younger sister, Li Qian, supports the family through her work at a local lottery shop while helping with the farm.

Although Li did not receive extensive formal education, his sister said he has always been an important source of advice.

"He is very smart," she said. "He has helped me with my studies, career choices and many decisions in life."

Building a future through agriculture and digital platforms

The farm has faced challenges, including equipment failures, financial pressure, and difficulties in expanding sales.

After an electrical problem damaged important equipment, the family once considered stopping the project. But Li and his family decided to continue.

Over time, they adjusted their production based on market demand, moving from vegetables such as celery to crops including tomatoes.

Li is also exploring online platforms to promote the farm. His social media account has attracted tens of thousands of followers, and he hopes digital tools can help connect more consumers with the farm's products.

"I think about many questions every day," he said. "How can we make the farm more profitable? How can we make better videos and sell more agricultural products?"

Looking ahead, Li is also working on another idea: transforming a recreational vehicle into a mobile medical and working space so he can travel with his family.

"I want to break the limitations and regain some freedom," he said.

For Li, technology does not remove every challenge, but it provides a way to continue creating and connecting with the outside world.