Vermicelli making flourishes in Shandong's county

Right now, Nanzhao village in Ningyang county – in Tai'an city, in East China's Shandong province – has entered the peak selling season for its vermicelli, which has helped take the local farmers on the path to prosperity.

Vermicelli, with its round shape and thin skin, shines brightly as it dries in the sun. [Photo by Wu Xiaowen and Zhang Wenan for chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang Lihong and her husband are old hands at vermicelli making. They're supremely skillful at it, shaking it in hot water and setting the vermicelli into shape.

"We work about 10 days a month and we can produce 100 kilograms per month in this season and around 150 kg in the summer. This gives us an annual income of about 25,000 yuan ($3,497)," said Wang Lihong.

The vermicelli production process in Nanzhao was recognized in the second batch of intangible cultural heritage by the Tai'an municipal government in 2008 – and now there are over 30 households engaged in vermicelli production in the village.

To extend the market and promote product upgrades, Ningyang county has been promoting an "online+offline" sales model and moved to establish a full-chain system involving planting, processing, production, sales and research.

"The industry has benefited over 1,000 households in our village and surrounding areas, with annual sales now topping 300 million yuan," said Gong Xianxi, Party branch secretary of Nanzhao village. (Edited by Chen Chuxuan)

Wang Lihong and her husband delight in making vermicelli. [Photo by Wu Xiaowen and Zhang Wenan for chinadaily.com.cn]