Farmers at a cooperative in Bazhang village, Suzhou city, have started grafting watermelon seedlings onto pumpkin seedlings to prevent watermelon blight and improve the fruit’s taste. The technique has proven to be very effective and helps boost sales. According to Wang Shouxing, the head of the cooperative, planting 700,000 watermelon seedlings can generate an output value of 500,000 to 600,000 yuan ($72,925 to $87,510) at a greenhouse covering about 3,000 square meters, and the cooperative can plant about 10 million watermelon seedlings in a year.
Wang Pengcheng, an agricultural expert heading an agricultural technology team in the city, has been sent to the village to bring more benefits to the long-term development of the cooperative. The plan is to realize mechanized seedling cultivation and grafting, which can make the operation four times more efficient. Wang Shouxing believes that this will multiply the cooperative’s revenue and help the farmers earn more.
The use of grafting techniques in agriculture has been gaining popularity due to the numerous benefits it provides. By grafting, a plant can combine the desirable traits of two different varieties, which improves the plant’s resistance to pests and diseases, increases the yield, and improves the quality of the fruit.
Guangze is a county in southeast China’s Fujian province that is situated at the source of the Minjiang River. The region’s unique location offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and access to a variety of natural resources. To the west of Guangze lies the breathtaking Wuyishan National Park, which is a popular tourist destination in the region. This picturesque park offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, and bamboo rafting, and is known for its biodiversity, particularly its unique flora and fauna.
Guangze county in Nanping city, southeast China’s Fujian province is known for its abundance of water resources. With a per capita water resource share 12 times more than the national average, the county has become a pioneer in water ecology conservation. It is also the only county in Fujian province where the water quality at all sampling sections has reached grade II, the second highest standard in China.
In recent years, Guangze county has developed a “water ecology bank” to preserve, develop and improve its water resources. The county has seen tremendous growth in packaged water, green farming, and leisure tourism industries, which has transformed its water resources into economic value. Chen Zhengwen, head of the water conservancy bureau of the county, led a water utilization survey in 2017 which showed that Guangze county had nearly 4.3 billion cubic meters of water resources. However, less than 5 percent of these resources were utilized, and almost no high-quality water resource was used.
Through the “water ecology bank” project, Guangze county aims to utilize its abundant water resources sustainably, ensuring that they continue to provide economic benefits to the community while maintaining their quality. With its successful water conservation practices, Guangze county serves as a model for other regions in China to follow in achieving sustainable development.
Zehui’s plant is located at the gate of Guangze county’s Baishi village, where villagers working for the company have experienced significant financial benefits. According to Gao Cong, an official of the village, these workers have seen their total annual income increase by over 40,000 yuan on average, and the village also receives more than 70,000 yuan in bonuses from the company each year. This economic growth is particularly important in a village that was once struggling, and it has led to the return of younger generations to the area.
Guangze county has recently become a popular location for renowned companies specializing in industries that require high-quality water sources, such as tea planting and traditional Chinese medicine. As a result, the value-added industrial output of the county increased by 8.4 percent last year, reaching nearly 3.29 billion yuan. The food manufacturing sector saw significant growth, with a 19.8 percent year-on-year increase that created jobs for 21,000 people, or 15.2 percent of the county’s population.
The county’s focus on developing water-related industries has been accompanied by efforts to improve water-related infrastructure to enhance the beauty of the county and the well-being of its people. Wu, a representative of the county, has noted that Guangze is working to become a hub for rural vitalization. In 2021, the county selected three villages along a local creek for a demonstration program of rural vitalization. Today, the creek has been transformed into a rural sightseeing belt that features photography, hiking, camping, cycling, and fishing sites.
In September 2021, the establishment of a recreational vehicle (RV) park in the area further boosted local tourism, highlighting the county’s commitment to promoting economic growth while also improving the natural environment. With a renewed focus on the beauty of its natural resources and a growing industrial sector, Guangze county has become a promising location for both business and leisure.
In addition to its economic growth and environmental initiatives, Guangze county is also benefitting from the return of younger generations to the area. As previously mentioned, Zehui’s plant has played a key role in this trend. However, the county’s efforts to develop rural tourism and improve the quality of life for its residents are also attracting young people who are looking for a better way of life. As a result, Guangze county is experiencing a new era of prosperity, with a bright future ahead.
In conclusion, Guangze county has made significant progress in recent years, with its focus on water-related industries and rural vitalization leading to economic growth and improved quality of life for its residents. Through initiatives like the development of a recreational vehicle park and the transformation of a local creek into a rural sightseeing belt, the county has become an attractive destination for both tourists and businesses. Its success has led to the return of younger generations to the area, which bodes well for the county’s future.