Small potatoes make a big splash, small vermicelli becomes a big industry
Since the beginning of winter, vermicelli processing has entered its peak season, and potato vermicelli processing plants in Xishan, Caijiabao, Taizi, Weiyuan Town, Tangchuan Town, Wufeng Township, Wushi and other areas, the main potato-producing areas of Huzhu County, Qinghai, have been bustling one after another. In recent years, Huzhu County has relied on its abundant potato harvest to expand the vermicelli processing industry. By making a big splash with small potatoes and turning small vermicelli into a big industry, it has not only increased the added value of agricultural and sideline products in this rural area, boosted farmers' incomes, but also made it one of the local specialty agricultural products. Huzhu potato vermicelli is favored by customers inside and outside the province for its good taste and excellent quality.
This year, Da'er Village in Caijiabao Township got running water, which turned the village secretary's long-cherished wish of establishing a potato starch processing plant into reality. Through study visits and training, he planned and built Caijiabao Township's first potato starch processing plant, and purchased potatoes from village farmers at above-market prices to begin potato vermicelli processing.
A few days ago, a reporter visited Da'er Village in Caijiabao Township and saw that people in the first potato starch processing plant established this year in Caijiabao Township were busily working, some putting in the vermicelli and some busy drying it, creating a bustling scene of labor on site. The village Party secretary said happily: “Caijiabao Township in Huzhu County has high mountains and deep valleys and a serious shortage of water, and the geographical conditions severely restrict the village's economic development. In the past, farmers' potato yields increased but incomes did not. Now with the potato vermicelli processing plant, six or seven jin of potatoes can be processed into one jin of vermicelli, and the value of potatoes has increased from four mao per jin to one yuan. We must run the plant well with standardized management and get the potato vermicelli products and brand out there, so that our farmers' potatoes will be worth even more.” According to the village Party secretary, the processed vermicelli is mainly sold to Xining and county markets. Although the vermicelli processing plant has just started, it is expected to process more than 10 tons of potato vermicelli this year, with a net income of 20,000-30,000 yuan.
According to statistics and estimates from the agricultural department, as of now, Huzhu County has more than 20 potato vermicelli processing cooperatives, processing more than 3,600 tons of potato vermicelli annually, generating revenue of more than 4.8 million yuan. Potato vermicelli processing has become another plateau specialty industry enriching the people and strengthening agriculture in this rural area.