Huimin: Small cucumbers drive big industry growth

In early winter, Zijiang town's smart cucumber planting base, covering over 6.66 hectares in Huimin county, Binzhou city, is abuzz with activity.

Neatly arranged cucumber seedlings fill the air with the fresh scent of earth, while workers busily prepare the soil, sow seeds, and graft. Wang Dumei, a local villager, shared that the work is easy, and with a daily income of over 100 yuan ($13.78), she feels content.

The town's thriving cucumber cultivation benefits from its long history in farming. Since the 1990s, cucumbers have been a key crop, though many farmers previously worked with limited facilities.

To upgrade the industry, Zijiang built the smart cucumber base, guiding farmers to modernize greenhouses and offering loan subsidies. A 7.5 million yuan investment improved infrastructure, enhancing transport and water systems to support farmers.

The local government also introduced incentives like cucumber quality competitions and rewards for very efficient farmers. Zijiang now boasts 10 high-standard greenhouses, two steel arched sheds, and 42 small arched sheds, along with the premium cucumber variety. Smart environmental control systems have boosted yields by 50 percent to 100 percent, while reducing water, fertilizer, and labor costs by 20 percent to 30 percent.

Thanks to its high quality, Zijiang cucumbers are sold in over 20 major cities, including Beijing and Tianjin. During peak seasons, daily transactions reach 150 metric tons, with a total value exceeding 1 million yuan. (Edited by Lin Li)