It has amplified the development advantages of the citrus industry, continuously improved the comprehensive productivity of agriculture, and accelerated the pace of agricultural and rural modernization to boost agricultural efficiency, farmers’ income and environmental livability.

 

Qingjiang citrus made its debut at the 25th Central China (Hunan) Agricultural Expo and was welcomed by exhibitors from other countries. 

 

This year, the citrus picking and purchasing work in Qingjiang Town has been completed, with a total of 35,000 mu (about 2,333.33 hectares) of citrus in the town and a sales revenue of 500 million yuan. 

 

 

“Thanks to market demand and the improved citrus quality, the purchase price of citrus is 8 to 10 yuan per kilogram, and it sells well throughout the country, as well as in foreign countries and regions such as Russia and Southeast Asia,” said Chen Yachao, secretary of the town Party committee, happily.

 

After about 40 years of development, the town has formed a characteristic agricultural industry. It has continued to optimize the industrial structure, make the entire industrial chain of characteristic agricultural products, and created local agricultural product brands to promote high-quality development of the citrus industry. 

 

“By developing advantageous agricultural industries, Huangjia Village has transformed from a provincial-level poverty-stricken village to a provincial-level rural revitalization demonstration village,” said Li Yong, secretary of the Huangjia Village. 

 

 

In 2020, the village was lifted out of poverty, and every household planted citrus, which brought both economic and social benefits.

 

As one of the main production areas for citrus cultivation in Qingjiang Town, Huangjia Village has taken a series of measures to improve the level of industrialized development. 

 

Now, the planting area in the village is over 3,700 mu (246.67 hectares), with an average per capita planting area of 2.5 mu (0.167 hectares) and an average annual income of 29,000 yuan. The citrus industry is an important way for local villagers to get rich.

 

 

“Relying on training platforms, the town regularly organizes farmers to participate in citrus technology training courses, expecting to continuously improve the level of citrus planting management.” Chen Yachao said that the town government, which regards the upgrading of the citrus industry as the foundation for promoting the modernization of agricultural industry, is continuously deepening the transformation and upgrading of the citrus industry.

 

“This year, all oranges have been ordered before the harvest season,” said Li Shixiao, a large grower, who grinned from ear to ear, adding that growers now have the initiative in sales. 

 

After graduating from Hunan Agricultural University in 2005, Li Shixiao, who majored in horticulture, returned to hometown to plant citrus trees under the influence of his parents. 

 

In September of the same year, he built the first agritainment in Qingjiang Town, focusing on leisure and sightseeing.

 

 

His agritainment has seen booming business since its opening and the family’s income has doubled year by year. 

 

Led by him, more than 70 agritainments have been run in the town.

 

In order to build a beautiful Dongjiang Lake, the local government has worked on the healthy and orderly development of agritainment.

 

Improving the ecological environment is the long-term solution for industrial development. So, the town government has gradually closed down agritainments and put all energy into planting high-quality citrus and small fruits. 

 

With the help of the town government, Li Shixiao has invested over 500,000 yuan to apply net room cultivation technology, intelligent mist spraying system and water fertilizer integration system to farming in the citrus base of more than 20 mu (1.33 hectares). 

 

He also built a mountain rail transport vehicle in another net greenhouse to implement automatic management and transportation, which can greatly improve planting efficiency. 

 

Taking the opportunity of building a provincial demonstration county for citrus reform in Hunan province, the city government allocates over 10 million yuan of agricultural funds annually to support the town in such fields as green prevention and control, infrastructure and standard orchard construction. 

 

At the same time, the town government actively promotes modern planting technology, encourages large growers to introduce advanced technology and equipment, guides fruit farmers to prevent and control the citrus greening disease, working hard to improve quality and efficiency of the citrus industry. 

 

In addition, the town government has conducted e-commerce training, and introduced livestreaming sales. This year, over 20 livestreaming events were carried out, with 1 million kg of citrus sold, increasing its annual income by 40 million yuan. The town also helped every village cultivate two to five sales livestreamers through talent introduction and training.

 

 

Chinese source: czxxw