Strawberry-Picking Farms Lead a New Model for Getting Rich through Leisure Agriculture
In May, Xihe enjoys gentle breezes and bright sunshine, with the fragrance of flowers everywhere. At the strawberry-picking farm in Xiaping Village, Xiyu Town, Xihe County, crowds bustle to and fro: adults bring along children, children carry baskets, and they weave among the arched greenhouses of the strawberry farm. Tourists gently pick the bright red strawberries, give them a light wipe with their hands, and quickly pop them into their mouths, drawing in a deep breath: "Ah, so sweet!" Praise can be heard without end.
The strawberries of Xiaping Village in Xiyu Town have become a hit!
Recently in Xihe, when strawberry is mentioned, almost everyone invariably thinks first of the strawberry-picking farm in Xiyu Town. This fresh leisure agriculture model has attracted countless tourists from the whole county and even neighboring counties and districts to come and experience it. It has not only opened the path of leisure agriculture development in Xihe County, but also opened a new model for the masses to escape poverty and become prosperous.
Walking into the strawberry-picking farm, white arched greenhouses stand in neat rows. Signs erected at the entrances of the greenhouses list the strawberry varieties, flavors and other detailed information. There are original-flavor strawberries, chocolate strawberries, cream strawberries and many other varieties for tourists to choose and pick.
"The reason my strawberries are popular is not only that they taste good, but also that they are green and pollution-free." At the strawberry-picking farm in Xiaping Village, Xiyu Town, Dong Hongru, the picking "farm owner" busy tending the strawberry greenhouses, told reporters, "Foodies can scan with WeChat to learn the entire growing process of the strawberries, so they pick with confidence and eat with peace of mind."
Dong Hongru, now in his 40s, began strawberry cultivation in July 2016 with strong support from the Party committee and government of Xiyu Town, transferring more than 100 mu of land. He has now developed 15 picking greenhouses, and in less than half a year he has become a well-known expert at getting rich throughout the county.
"My strawberry seedlings are all purchased from Zhejiang. No chemical fertilizers and no pesticide spraying are used. They are truly pollution-free cream strawberries," Dong Hongru explained. During the Spring Festival, the farm's strawberries sold for 50 yuan per jin. The high price did not deter tourists; instead, it attracted even more visitors eager to try something new. It is said that the farm receives more than 100 tourists on its busiest days. "Many tourists come with the attitude of just having a taste and taking a look, but in the end they leave with big and small bags of strawberries. They buy not only for themselves but also for friends, and some come two or three times," Dong Hongru said with a smile.
The reason Dong Hongru's strawberries have become a hit is that they are truly pure, natural and pollution-free, and the growing process can be learned by scanning with WeChat. To meet the standards of pure, natural and pollution-free strawberries, chemical fertilizers and pesticide spraying are completely avoided during cultivation. The strawberries grown have good taste and authentic flavor, and have won unanimous praise from picking citizens and consumers.
"I heard from friends that the strawberries here are very delicious, so I brought my family. I wanted the children to broaden their horizons and experience rural life. I didn't expect the strawberries here to be really so tasty that the children don't even want to leave." Ms. Tian from Mayuan Town, carrying two baskets of freshly picked strawberries while waiting for them to be weighed, told this writer.
Since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month last year, Dong Hongru has also promoted his strawberry-picking farm through the WeChat platform. He has more and more friends in his circle of friends, and on holidays many friends from all directions order strawberries or drive over to pick them. "After innovating the promotion method, Dong Hongru no longer has to worry about selling strawberries. Seeing the strawberries growing well, there are also a great many customers." He said that spring warmth and blooming flowers are the best time for spring outings and vacations, and also the peak season for strawberry picking. His strawberry-picking greenhouses welcome many guests every day.
The strawberry farm has become a hit, and the lives of nearby villagers have flourished along with it.
From the very beginning, Dong Hongru's strawberry-picking farm included 15 registered poor households. The poor households not only received dividends as shareholders through land transfer, but also worked at the picking farm year-round, truly gaining the benefits brought by the picking farm. According to Dong Hongru, since last year the farm has employed more than 400 person-times in total and paid out more than 40 yuan-ten-thousand in labor fees, helping and fueling the surrounding masses in escaping poverty and becoming prosperous.
Dong Hongru plans to continue transferring land next year, strive to add other varieties such as cherries and Chinese toon on the basis of strawberry cultivation, and intends to use the picking farm as a foundation to drive an industrial development model integrating farmhouse entertainment, leisure and accommodation, so as to lead the surrounding masses to prosperity and a moderately prosperous life.