Farmers were busy harvesting potatoes in Ximenkou Village, Shetangpo Area, Qianzhou Subdistrict, Jishou City on April 19.
Potatoes have been planted in this area since the 1970s and have a long history of cultivation. During the harvest season, merchants from Huaihua and other places and internet influencers flock in droves to purchase potatoes in the village.
According to the quality of potatoes, the purchase price ranges from 3 yuan to 3.6 yuan per kilogram, and over 20,000 kg of potatoes were sold out in just one day.
“This year, our potato cooperative planted 25 mu (about 1.67 hectares) of potatoes. The sufficient rainfall brings a good yield and a good market situation. This year will be a harvest year,” said a local villager.
“During this period, we need to hire over 100 people to harvest potatoes every day, and villagers who come to work this month can earn more than 3,000 yuan,” said Chen Xiuyan, Party secretary of Ximenkou Village.
This year, relying on its unique natural resources, the Shetangpo Area has established a potato base with an area of 1,000 mu (about 66.67 hectares) in Ximenkou Village, Sanchaping Village and other places.
An official of Qianzhou Subdistrict said that this year, a total of 1,700 mu (about 113.33 hectares) of potatoes were planted in Shetangpo Area. Based on the current market situation, the income per mu (0.067 hectares) is about 4,500 yuan, and it’s expected to achieve a revenue of 7.65 million yuan.
