Town in Shandong uses innovation to boosts collective economy

Shanwang town is transforming its idle resources into profitable industries. [Photo by Liu Ruihua for chinadaily.com.cn]

These days Shanwang town, in Linqu county – located in Weifang city, in East China's Shandong province – is a place where the collective economy is thriving.

The town has transformed its idle resources into various dynamic ventures, including seedling planting, organic millet production and live e-commerce broadcasting. These industries have improved the environment, increased incomes and promoted the prosperity of the people.

One of the villages in the town that has adopted an innovative model is Leijiayatou, which has consolidated its wasteland and planted 10 varieties of organic seedlings.

Wu Hongjie, secretary of the village's Party branch, said that these seedlings had a high market value and could be sold and replanted continuously.

Another village that has leveraged its geographical advantage is Xiejiahe village. It produces high-quality millet and other grain products. It has established a cooperative led by the Party branch, to ensure product quality and guarantee the incomes of farmers.

The cooperative also signs agreements with farmers to purchase their millet at a higher price than the market price.

Livestreaming helps sales of Xijiahe village's agricultural products. [Photo by Liu Ruihua for chinadaily.com.cn]

Shanwang town has seized the opportunities presented by "internet+" development and has joined forces with Shandong Management University to build a big cherry e-commerce live broadcast base and train its presenters.

The value of the e-commerce sales generated to date by the venture has reached 32 million yuan ($4.48 million). (Edited by Fan Yuanyuan)