Edible chrysanthemums pave the way to prosperity for farmers in Qingfeng, Henan
On November 10, reporters walked into the Luhai Yuanmeng Ecological Planting Park in Yangshao Township, Qingfeng County, Puyang City, Henan Province, where blooming white chrysanthemums came into view inside the greenhouses. The workers in the planting park were busy spraying water on the chrysanthemums, picking chrysanthemums, and sorting and packing them, bustling with activity.
"These chrysanthemums we grow are all edible chrysanthemums, which can be enjoyed both as ornamentals and as food. The large chrysanthemums can be used in cold dishes, dumplings, and hot pot, while the small ones can be brewed as tea and have health benefits. This place has already become the ecological planting industry base of Yangshao Township, famous far and wide," said Zhang Zhanhua, head of the Luhai Yuanmeng Ecological Planting Park. "In addition to edible chrysanthemums, we also grow specialty fruits such as watermelons, cherries, and melons on a large scale. Although the ecological planting park has not been under construction for very long, we have already entered a market-oriented operation model, signing purchase and sales contracts with distributors in Beijing, Tianjin, and other places, achieving order-based production, and the returns on every product are very good."
Since the planning and construction of the Luhai Yuanmeng Ecological Planting Park began in 2013, a total investment of 82 million yuan has been made, and 500 high-efficiency greenhouses have been built. Supporting infrastructure for sightseeing, leisure, entertainment, and dining is under construction within the project park. After the project is fully completed, it will become the largest modern agricultural sightseeing base in Qingfeng County, achieving an annual output value of 75 million yuan and annual operating profit of 15 million yuan.
A person in charge of Yangshao Township introduced that the construction of the Luhai Yuanmeng Ecological Planting Park project has not only greatly promoted the adjustment of the agricultural industrial structure and stimulated the enthusiasm of rural Party members to start businesses and become prosperous, but has also solved the employment problem of more than 500 people in rural areas and increased farmers' incomes.
"I used to farm and harvest grain at home. Apart from the busy farming seasons, I had nothing to do at other times, and I could not earn much money in a whole year. Since the township established this planting park, I have come here to work, and I often listen to lectures by experts and have learned a lot of professional technical knowledge. In the past two years, my wages from working here alone have been nearly 30,000 yuan each year, and I have realized my 'dream of prosperity' right at my doorstep!" Villager Zhang Fade, who works in the planting park, could not stop smiling as he talked about the changes in his life.