Small grapes string together a path for farmers to increase income and become prosperous
Walking into the vineyard north of Litang Village, Guquan Subdistrict Office, Juancheng County, one sees Yu Liuzhu, who is over 60 years old, leading people in diligent cultivation in the vineyard. "I planted more than 60 mu of grapes in total, and last year the yield reached 6,000 jin per mu, and the income was not bad." As he spoke, a happy smile appeared on Yu Liuzhu's face.
Yu Liuzhu previously worked for a winery in Handan, Hebei, specifically growing grapes for the winery, and more than ten years of work enabled him to accumulate rich grape-growing experience. In 2012, Yu Liuzhu returned to his hometown and established the Juancheng Chixin Grape Cooperative, introduced Tengren grape seedlings, leased more than 60 mu of land at a price of more than 1,000 yuan per mu, and began grape cultivation. To ensure the healthy development of the cooperative, Yu Liuzhu also specially hired Hou Jinzhi as the general manager of the cooperative, mainly responsible for the cooperative's management and sales.
After 3 years of cultivation, Yu Liuzhu bred his own "Shijin" Tengren grapes. "Shi and Jin are the names of Old Yu's two grandsons, and Old Yu really cherished the 'Shijin' Tengren grapes as carefully as if they were family." Hou Jinzhi told the reporter that the advantages of the "Shijin" Tengren grapes can be summarized as "large berries, clustered heads, seedless, fully red, sweet." The grapes are plump, the clusters are large and compact, the berries do not easily fall off, there are no grape seeds, and after ripening the berries take on a purplish-red color and are juicy and sweet. It is precisely because of these advantages that the "Shijin" Tengren grapes stood out at the 12th China Forestry Products Fair in 2015 and won the gold award.
To ensure the quality of the "Shijin" Tengren grapes, Yu Liuzhu did a great deal of work. "Each grapevine keeps only three clusters of grapes. Although the yield is reduced, the grapes are sweeter and more delicious." Yu Liuzhu said that during the grape-growing process, they never spray pesticides, they use manpower for weeding and other work, and the fertilizer used is organic fertilizer such as sheep manure. "My grapes are absolutely green and pollution-free, and customers can eat them with confidence."
Yu Liuzhu's "Shijin" Tengren grapes have an early ripening period, outstanding advantages and are resistant to transport, and are deeply welcomed by the market. "Every year after the grapes ripen, many tourists are attracted here to play and enjoy the fun of picking them by hand." Hou Jinzhi told the reporter that within one month of the grapes ripening, their grapes were basically all picked or ordered. In addition to the income from selling grapes, grape seedlings are also a major source of income for Yu Liuzhu. "At present, 8 townships in Juancheng County have ordered grape seedlings from me and started grape cultivation." To avoid a situation of mutual price reductions, Hou Jinzhi signed contracts with them at the beginning of selling grape seedlings to ensure unified grape sales. In addition to this region, many grape-growing farmers in Jinan, Gansu, Henan and other places also order grape seedlings from here.
Speaking of his next plans, Yu Liuzhu is preparing to plant more peach trees, apple trees and so on, and also start a farmhouse resort, establishing a modern agricultural park integrating tourism, sightseeing, picking and tasting. "I just want to use my demonstration to lead more people to join in grape cultivation, so that everyone can develop together and become prosperous together."