Agricultural facility upgrades bring farmers greater prosperity

In two years, Dongping county – located in Tai'an city in East China's Shandong province – has adopted greenhouse planting, which has led to flourishing agricultural development in its rural areas.

Located in Pengji sub-district of Dongping county, the vegetable greenhouse in Peizhai village has seen a bumper harvest of balsam pears this summer.

"These balsam pears are harvested through two months' cultivation, and their per mu (0.07 hectares) yield can reach 7,500 kilograms," said Li Bin, an official of Peizhai village.

Villagers keep busy sorting balsam pears. [Photo by Li Na for chinadaily.com.cn]

The picking period for balsam pears can be extended from July to November, thus bringing considerable economic advantages to villagers, Li added.

Elsewhere in Cangqiuyi village, its vegetable greenhouse has seen a harvest of soft and sweet Beibei pumpkins. This year, the village planted over 900 mu of these pumpkins, with the per mu yield reaching 3,000 kilograms.

"A professional agricultural promotion company is responsible for the technology and sales, and the contract stipulates a minimum purchase price," said Li Peixin, an official from Cangqiuyi village.

According to the current market situation, each greenhouse can generate over 5,000 yuan ($694) in revenue per season when excluding costs, Li added.

In the last two years, Dongping county has built over 100,000 mu of vegetable greenhouse space, which has increased both the collective economy and villagers' incomes. (Edited by Chen Chuxuan)

A villager collects balsam pears. [Photo by Li Na for chinadaily.com.cn]