Vegetable farming brings riches to Shaanxi village

Underneath the scorching sunshine in Guaili village, Taibai county, Baoji city, Shaanxi province, the diligent villagers are deeply engrossed in the tasks of plowing the fields, planting seedlings, watering and fertilizing, actively participating in the cultivation of vegetables.

Among these dedicated farmers is Zhang Aifang, a 40-year-old woman, who proudly showcased the organic cultivation methods used in the village.

"Our vegetables thrive on organic fertilizers, free from pesticide contamination, resulting in a variety of crisp, sweet, and tasty produce that pleases the palate," said Zhang.

Hailing from Taibai county, Zhang has 3 to 4 mu (0.20 to 0.27 hectares) of land in the Guaili village. Intrigued by the opportunity presented by Taibai County Green Bud Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. to establish a vegetable production base in the village, she seized the chance to become a vegetable farmer.

Reflecting on her journey, Zhang said that all participants, regardless of agricultural experience, must receive comprehensive training before officially starting work.

She said: "Our operations are meticulously structured, starting with seedling cultivation, nurturing, transplanting, field management, daily care and culminating in the harvest. It's imperative to grasp systematic knowledge to ensure the superior quality of our produce."

Nestled in the heart of the Qinling Mountains, Taibai county boasts abundant ecological resources and a cool, moist climate. Harnessing these natural assets, the county has strategically emphasized meeting market needs and nurturing a specialty vegetable sector that thrives on mountainous terrain, with a focus on cultivating crops like cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, and tomatoes.

The local government has prioritized vegetables industry as a pillar industry for livelihoods and economic progress, actively realigning industrial structures, establishing planting hubs, nurturing brands and expanding market reach. The vision is to craft the "Qinling Green Vegetable Garden" and a premier vegetable source for Shaanxi province.

Furthermore, in 2020, the vegetable planting area of Taibai County Green Bud Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. earned certification as a vegetable supply base for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Embracing cutting-edge agricultural technologies, it has implemented seven key production and sales systems, encompassing floating seedling cultivation, mechanized farming, precision irrigation, eco-friendly pest management, quality traceability, intelligent management and e-commerce marketing.

Annually, the vegetable planting base yields 2,900 tons of green vegetables, generating an output value of 12 million yuan ($1.65 million) and delivering over 3.5 million yuan in yearly earnings for more than 300 local households.

Zhang said, "I now earn 4,000 yuan per month, a significant increase from my previous income."

Statistics show the agricultural advantage of Taibai county, with 86 percent of cultivated land dedicated to vegetable cultivation. 85 percent of the population is involved in vegetable production, with 73 percent of farmers earning their income from this sector. Each year, there is an average planting of 107,000 mu of vegetables in the whole county, yielding 480,000 tons valued at 500 million yuan. The average household annual income from vegetables stands at 12,000 yuan.