Spring is an important time for Wang Deli, a villager from Maozhushan village in Guilin, South China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. As the season approaches, he eagerly awaits instructions from agricultural experts on how to tend to his 1-hectare grape field. Along with his grape-growing operation, Wang also earns income from migrant jobs during his free time, bringing in around 100,000 yuan ($14,700) annually.
Maozhushan is a small mountain village with only 46 households, but it has become a hub for grape-growing in the region. It all began in 2002 when a few villagers recognized the area’s suitable soil and climate conditions for growing grapes. Since then, more villagers have joined in, and the total growing area has expanded to over 21 hectares.
The grape-growing industry has become a significant source of income for many in the village, contributing to poverty reduction efforts in the region. With the support of local agricultural experts, the villagers have learned the best practices for growing and caring for their grapevines, leading to increased yields and higher-quality grapes.
In addition to improving the financial situation of the villagers, the grape-growing industry has also brought about social benefits. Villagers have come together to form cooperatives and share their resources and knowledge, creating a stronger sense of community and mutual support.
Despite the challenges posed by weather fluctuations and market conditions, the grape-growing industry in Maozhushan continues to thrive. The villagers’ dedication to their craft, combined with the guidance of agricultural experts and a supportive community, has helped them succeed and improve their livelihoods.
Looking forward, the grape-growers of Maozhushan are optimistic about the future of their industry. They hope to continue expanding their operations and improving their techniques, all while maintaining the close-knit community that has helped them achieve success thus far.
In order to enhance the grape quality, Maozhushan has taken measures to improve the technical training of its farmers. To achieve this, they have partnered with agricultural scientific research institutions and invited agricultural experts to guide grape planting. This has enabled the farmers to receive up-to-date information on the latest techniques and practices in the field.
Moreover, Maozhushan has been expanding the high-standard farmland area to promote better grape growth. In the past, water and fertilizer were sprayed from the ground to the air through pipelines, which was an inaccurate and expensive method. However, with the newly installed drip irrigation equipment, the village has been able to save a lot of resources.
Additionally, the village has collaborated with China Mobile, a telecom operator, to build a digital platform for real-time monitoring of grape growth, diseases, and insect pests. With this digital platform, farmers are able to receive alerts and updates on the state of their grape fields, allowing them to take prompt action when necessary.
This technological advancement has not only improved the quality of the grapes but also increased efficiency in the grape-growing process. As a result, the farmers are able to increase their yield and improve their income. This has been particularly important for Maozhushan as grape-growing has become a vital source of income for the villagers.
In recent years, Maozhushan village has made significant strides in improving its grape industry. One of the village’s newest initiatives has been to start planting high-quality grape varieties in 2021, which has significantly increased farmers’ income. According to villager Wang Deli, planting one hectare of the new grape variety is equivalent to planting five or six hectares of traditional grape varieties.
Moreover, the village has collaborated with agricultural scientific research institutions to enhance the technical training of farmers, with agricultural experts guiding grape planting. Maozhushan has also expanded the high-standard farmland area, with newly installed drip irrigation equipment that has saved water and fertilizer and reduced costs.
Furthermore, the village has partnered with China Mobile to create a digital platform that conducts real-time monitoring of grape growth, diseases, and insect pests. These measures have contributed to the development of the Maozhushan grape brand, which attracts tourists, particularly during the grape harvest season.
As a result of the grape industry’s growth, Maozhushan’s locals have seen an increase in income, which has led to burgeoning rural tourism and leisure-agriculture businesses. Villager Wang Xinjian saw an opportunity in the growing tourist influx and opened a farmhouse that offers accommodation and dining, accommodating 120 tourists. He believes that rural tourism and leisure-agriculture businesses will continue to expand as the pace of rural revitalization accelerates, further increasing the locals’ income.
In recent years, there has been a trend of “new farmers” – young people with innovative ideas and skills – returning to their hometowns to start businesses. This trend is also seen in Maozhushan village in Guilin, South China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
One such “new farmer” is Wang Jia, who quit her job at a tourism company in Guilin two years ago to become an e-commerce livestreaming anchor. Her goal was to expand online sales channels for local grapes. According to Wang Jia, rural revitalization cannot be achieved without the participation of talented youths. She chose to return to her hometown and contribute to its development.
Maozhushan village has been actively working to integrate the grape-growing and tourism industries to create more business opportunities. The village’s efforts have led to the creation of a brand for their grapes, and more tourists are visiting during the grape harvest season.
According to Wang Xinmin, Party chief of Maozhushan village, the village will continue to upgrade its business by providing a broader stage for “new farmers” to pursue their dreams. This will allow more young people to contribute to the village’s development and help achieve rural revitalization.
Maozhushan’s success in integrating the grape-growing and tourism industries is an example of how rural areas can attract young talent and promote development. By providing more opportunities and resources for “new farmers” to start businesses and pursue their dreams, rural communities can achieve sustainable and long-term growth.
As more young people return to their hometowns to start businesses, rural communities can benefit from their skills, creativity, and passion. This can help promote innovation and development, leading to a better quality of life for residents and a stronger economy for the region