Profile of large-scale grower Zhou Wencheng

Zhou Wencheng is a farmer from Group 6, Xianggou Village, Lvshui Township, Laifeng County. In 2008, he planted 80 mu of ginger and earned 320,000 yuan; planted more than 100 mu of fruit and earned 60,000 yuan; built a 10-mu nursery base and earned 300,000 yuan; and planted 50 mu of vegetables and earned 150,000 yuan. He founded the Laifeng County Huanyu Citrus Cooperative, which gave a boost to citrus production in Laifeng.

Zhou Wencheng was once a migrant worker. After graduating from high school, he went out to make his way in the world, and before he knew it, 9 years had passed. During those 9 years, he learned skills and accumulated experience and capital. One day in 2003, a fellow worker tasted Fengtou fermented ginger and repeatedly praised it. He realized that many of his hometown's resources were favored in other places, so that winter he resolutely returned home and planted 15 mu of ginger, earning 90,000 yuan in 2004. After that, he contracted 50 mu of citrus orchard, with an annual income of 70,000 yuan. In 2005, he expanded his ginger planting area and also raised 100 sheep.

Zhou Wencheng knows well that traditional farming methods no longer suit the market economy, and that for farmers to become prosperous, they must take the path of sustainable modern agriculture. In 2007, he built a 10-mu nursery base and used sprinkler irrigation to grow ginger, earning more than 200,000 yuan that year.

This year, Zhou Wencheng planted 120 mu of ginger, with sprinkler irrigation covering 100 mu. But he is not satisfied. After becoming chairman of the Laifeng Huanyu Professional Cooperative, he wants to lead the members to prosperity together.