Yichang's He Tingxin Makes a Fortune Growing Cowpeas in Four Years and Buys a Truck

    Growing cowpeas on more than 2 mu of land, He Tingxin gradually made money over four years and recently bought a Dongfeng Jingka brand truck. He happily told this writer: "The money for this truck came entirely from growing cowpeas!"

    He Tingxin, 46 this year, is a specialized grower in Huangjintang Village, Yaqueling Town, Yiling District, Yichang, Hubei. Starting in 2003, he set aside 1.5 mu of land to grow cowpeas. Lacking experience, He Tingxin learned from nearby Dongxiquan Village and Dangyang while also working out his own approach: "Don't mind paying more for good seed, apply enough special fertilizer each time, spray once every 3 days during the flowering period, and harvest at the right time and sort by grade." As a result, every cowpea was smooth and free of insect holes, all about two chi long, bringing in more than 100 yuan a day and a total of more than 8,000 yuan that year. To cut out middlemen, in 2008 he invested more than 7,000 yuan and bought a three-wheeled vehicle, driving it himself to the vegetable market to sell. Dozens of neighbors including Yang Yefu also began growing cowpeas. He Tingxin not only taught them the techniques for free but also led them into the market together. Now, He Tingxin has expanded to 2.7 mu of land for growing cowpeas. Over four years, he earned more than 60,000 yuan in total, and spent more than 50,000 yuan to buy a new large truck.