Specialty vegetable increases incomes for farmers in Shandong district

Laiwu chicken leg scallions. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Huaxing Chicken Leg Scallion Planting Professional Cooperative in Laiwu district, Jinan, Shandong province, is driving local farmers toward prosperity through the cultivation of specialty vegetables.

Known as a specialty of Laiwu, chicken leg scallions derive their name from their unique shape, with a thick lower part and a thin upper part resembling an inverted chicken leg. The harvest season for this vegetable occurs in November.

According to Hou Yurong, the manager of the cooperative, this year's yield is good, with an average of 2,000 kilograms of scallions produced per mu (0.06 hectares) of land, resulting in 750 kilograms of dried scallions after drying and processing.

He added that the price of dried chicken leg scallions can reach as high as 44 yuan ($6) per kilogram. Despite being more expensive than regular scallions, sales are strong thanks to the excellent quality and brand recognition.

Since its establishment in 2009, the cooperative has continuously improved the standardization of agricultural production and the industrialization of agricultural operations. At the same time, it actively participates in various expos, opens online sales channels, and enhances the popularity and sales of Laiwu chicken leg scallions.

To date, the cooperative has more than 500 mu of production bases and 863 members. It has helped more than 6,000 growers in over 50 surrounding villages to achieve a total sales income of 26.32 million yuan, effectively increasing their incomes. (Edited by Li Weiwei)