Bumper grape harvest drives rural vitalization in Shandong district

Shine Muscat grapes grown at the base appear shiny and lush. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Lyujialou village in Niuquan town — located in the Laiwu district, Jinan, East China's Shandong province recently welcomed a bumper harvest of Shine Muscat grapes, attracting numerous tourists for picking activities and significantly increasing local farmers' income while driving rural vitalization efforts.

Covering over 10 mu (0.67 hectares), the base features integrated water and fertilizer management systems for scientific cultivation. The grapes boast high sugar content, plump berries, and a sweet, crisp taste. Around 200 to 250 kilograms are picked daily by tourists, mainly from surrounding areas and particularly families.

The village has focused on grape planting as a key strategy for rural development, transferring 100 mu of land to build 32 greenhouses, introducing advanced techniques, and establishing the "Lyu Pintian" trademark to promote scaled and branded operations. Their high-quality grapes are sold both locally and in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

During the harvest season, the base employs dozens of workers daily, with numbers exceeding 100 during peak periods. Villagers can earn an additional 20,000 ($2,811) to 30,000 yuan per year by participating in activities such as pruning, packaging, and bagging. The village has also expanded into specialty fruits like Qiuyue pears and Kyoho grapes, further enhancing agricultural efficiency and farmers' incomes. (Edited by Li Weiwei)