Lotus industry flourishes in Shandong province

It's September and it's harvest season for lotus roots in Douling village in Bahu town – located in the Hedong district of Linyi city, in East China's Shandong province.

Douling has cultivated lotus for over 30 years thanks to its special soil conditions and favorable climate.

Lotus growing is said to be easier to manage, more cost-effective and more profitable than other crops. To boost the development of the local lotus industry, farmers from six villages in the town have established a cooperative to share their experiences in cultivation.

Currently, Bahu has an area of over 10,000 mu (666.67 hectares) given over to growing the flower, making it the fourth-largest contiguous lotus root development demonstration plantation in the country.

A farmhand picks lotus roots. [Photo by Li Jiaonan for chinadaily.com.cn]

In addition, the town is also moving to develop a lotus flower viewing industry. Gai Guangyong, head of the ornamental lotus breeding center, said that they've established the biggest ornamental lotus farm there and they've introduced over 100 varieties of ornamental lotuses – achieving an annual output value of 1.5 million yuan ($205,666) in the first half of the year and creating more than 30 jobs.

The lotus industry in Bahu town is widely said to be an excellent example of implementing the rural vitalization strategy in Hedong district.

Moving forwards, plans are for the district to establish more towns specializing in organic and eco-friendly products, with the ultimate goal of injecting new momentum into rural development. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)