County in Shandong strengthens sweet potato industry

A virus-free sweet potato seedling base in Qingyun town, Linshu county, Shandong province, supplies high-yield seedlings that are over 20 percent more productive than traditional varieties.

The virus-free seedling cultivation workshop in Linshu county, Shandong. [Photo by Zhou Weijing/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The base is part of the Sweet Potato Cooperative Industrial Park, which supports Linshu county's extensive sweet potato industry. It spans 10,600 hectares, with an average yield of 52,500 kilograms per hectare, making it China's largest sweet potato-producing area.

To advance this local industry, Linshu county established the Sweet Potato Cooperative, providing full support across the supply chain—from seedling research to planting and processing. Partnering with research institutes, the Cooperative has developed 36 virus-free seedling varieties and offers comprehensive planting services, making cultivation more convenient and accessible for local farmers.

In the processing phase, the Cooperative employs advanced German automated equipment and Japanese baking techniques, producing 36 varieties of chilled and snack foods. This integrated approach has helped develop a full industry chain, from initial seedling production to deep-processed products.

The Cooperative has grown to include over 3,000 members, collectively managing nearly 6,666 hectares of sweet potatoes and fostering impressive local agricultural development. (Edited by Zhang Ying)