The key to revitalizing rural areas is to choose industries that enrich the people according to local conditions. Since the beginning of this year, Danqing Town has guided and helped village collective economic cooperatives and large-scale planters to develop “contract agriculture”, adding strong vitality to rural revitalization.
“Previously, we had to seek sales channels. Now, with the help of the local governments, we don’t need to worry about sales,” said the Party secretary of Jiyu village.
The order contract of Jiyu Village’s economic cooperative is only a microcosm of contract agriculture in Danqing Town.
To eliminate the worries of farmers and help increase farmers’ income, since the beginning of this year, Danqing Town has actively encouraged enterprises and farmers to sign a purchase agreement with a minimum price. Farmers who did not dare to expand the scale of planting because of worries about sales have now actively participated in the production of contract agriculture.
To ensure the long-term development of contract agriculture, the town guides the village collective economic cooperatives and large growers to formulate long-term development plans.
Based on local conditions, more than 10 kinds of agricultural products such as screw peppers, sweet potatoes and winter potatoes are planted, and advanced planting technology and management experience are introduced.
At the same time, the town increases investment in agricultural infrastructure to improve farmland irrigation, road transportation and other conditions.
The development of contract agriculture benefits not only farmers who are able to work, but also the weak labor group. By providing simple job opportunities, such as sorting and packaging agricultural products, weak laborers can also earn money at their doorstep.
“With the help of the local governments, there are 15 growers engaged in ‘order agriculture’ in the town. With the development of contract agriculture, a direct supply chain system from planting bases to purchasers has been established, solving the previous problems of agricultural product sales, effectively reducing the risks of planting project development, and expanding sales channels,” said an official of Danqing Town.
This year, the town has developed a total of 16 “contract agriculture” projects, with a planting area of more than 3,300 mu (220 hectares) and an expected income of 2.6 million yuan. The village collective economic cooperative has achieved an income of 800,000 yuan, and formed an industrial pattern of “one village with one product”, which has improved agricultural efficiency, increased farmers’ income, and contributed to rural revitalization.
