Shandong's county boasts thriving apple industry

In Zhucheng county – located in Weifang city in East China's Shandong province – the sprawling 2,000-mu (133.33 hectare) Venus Golden Apple orchard has become a vibrant hub of activity.

Farmers diligently care for their precious fruit trees, creating a vigorous scene that reflects the success of the county's innovative and dynamic agricultural initiatives.

Farmhands carry baskets of apples that will soon be in the market. [Photo by Zhang Minmin for chinadaily.com.cn]

Over the past few years, Zhucheng has been at the forefront of promoting an ecological planting model, utilizing more than 5 cubic meters of organic fertilizer per mu. This approach not only addresses the issue of livestock manure pollution but also enhances soil fertility, safeguards the environment and boosts the organic matter content in orchards, ultimately elevating the quality of the fruit.

To complement this effort, the county has optimized the layout of fruit storage based on the distribution of planting. It has introduced 52 state-of-the-art fruit cold storage facilities, boasting a collective capacity of 84,000 cubic meters.

These facilities are equipped to store an impressive 35,000 metric tons of fruit, ensuring optimal preservation and distribution efficiency.

In a bid to diversify its sales, Zhucheng has embarked on a dual approach, integrating online and on-site channels. Through extensive negotiations with industry giants like Shenzhen Pagoda Industrial (Group) Corporation Limited, the city has established long-term partnerships to explore high-end fruit markets.

Meanwhile, the city has ventured into the online sphere, forming alliances with leading e-commerce platforms like JD.com and Hema Fresh. The goal is to expand online sales channels and connect with a broader consumer base.

Nowadays, what was once a small apple has transformed into the "golden apple" for local villagers, serving as a catalyst for overcoming poverty and boosting incomes.

The county's commitment to sustainable agriculture and innovative business models is said to not only be bearing fruit in the orchards, but is also sowing the seeds of prosperity for its community. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)