Wang Guizhang Finds the Road to Prosperity Through Science and Technology

The three-leaf akebia introduced by Wang Guizhang has gained market recognition.

Wang Guizhang has contracted the multi-span greenhouse in Xinmian Village, Xiaogang, and devotes himself to researching and cultivating new varieties.

The spring breeze once again greens the southern bank of the Yangtze. These past few days, Wang Guizhang, head of the Xinye Melon and Fruit Professional Cooperative in Xiaogang, Beilun, has been extremely busy. The newly introduced and planted Elaeagnus fruit is expected to go into production next spring. "The Elaeagnus fruit has strong adaptability to the environment, its fruit is delicious, and its roots, leaves and fruit can all be used medicinally."

Wang Guizhang is a leading figure in Beilun's agricultural science and technology. Over the past 10-plus years, he has introduced and cultivated fruits such as melons, grapes, kiwifruit and dragon fruit, and has won many awards for developing new varieties. When talking about agricultural science and technology innovation, Wang Guizhang has plenty of insights. "Introducing a variety takes several years to fully understand its habits," Wang Guizhang said. In terms of theoretical knowledge, he frequently exchanges ideas with experts from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, while in terms of practical experience, he keeps exploring together with friends in the same trade.

In 2010, Wang Guizhang began planting Hongyang kiwifruit, and it bore fruit the following year. Driven by his example, many farmers also began planting grapes and kiwifruit, with obvious increases in income.

Last year, Wang Guizhang put ultra-thin non-woven microporous breathable bags over his more than 60 mu of grapes. This not only ensures the taste and quality of the grapes, but also reduces pesticide residue. He explained that judging from last year's trial, the benefits are many: "Less pesticide residue, improved quality, safer and healthier, and reduced losses during packaging and transportation as well."

From watermelon to melon, grapes and then to kiwifruit, three-leaf akebia and dragon fruit, Wang Guizhang has advanced step by step. After 14 years of effort, the cooperative, with accurate market positioning, has seen rapid development in industrial scale, while also achieving the localization of fruits to meet the taste needs of different citizens.

"In the past, the traditional planting model of a single variety and single specification meant a concentrated time to market, which made it prone to unsold stock and carried high market risk. Now my base has seven or eight kinds of premium fruits, with fairly rich diversity, producing fruit all year round." Wang Guizhang introduced that he currently has 200 mu of standardized high-efficiency facility melon and fruit base, including more than 100 mu of intelligent control production base. "At present, only half of my base is in production, with an annual output value of about 1.7 million yuan."

Today, Wang Guizhang's base has become one of Ningbo's "Top 100 Premium Orchards," and he himself has also been hired as an expert for the "Double Study, Double Comparison" assistance group in Beilun District. Last June, he was honorably elected as an "Outstanding Contributor to Agricultural Science and Technology in Zhejiang Province."