Shandong farmers reap benefits from black corn

A display of black corn, a lucrative new crop being grown in Ningjin county. [Photo by Wang Xiaowen for chinadaily.com.cn]

Black corn, a new local specialty in Ningjin county – located in East China's Shandong province – has brought sweet returns to the farmers who grow it.

Li Yang, a village official and online influencer in Xiangya town in Ningjin, was busy promoting black corn vinegar through a livestreaming session recently.

He was one of the first to introduce the planting of black grain in the area, hoping to boost the incomes of local villagers.

Black corn, with its high nutritional value and distinctive appearance, has become a popular ingredient in various foods. From pastries to wine vinegar, it's found its way to the dining tables of many households across the country.

As a result, a multi-level industry supply chain is now extending for black corn.

"After investigation, we found that there is a large market demand for black grain. So, we plan to expand the planting of black corn, black wheat and black peanuts next year and introduce new products," Li said.

He's confident that he will lead the villagers on the road to prosperity by following the black grain path. (Edited by Fan Yuanyuan)