In Gaotai County’s Xuanhua Town, farmers are preparing their greenhouses for the next growing season despite the cooling autumn weather. Inside these greenhouses, life is flourishing with newly planted pepino melon seedlings, and farmers are hard at work adjusting vines, installing new plastic films, and preparing for a bountiful harvest. For experienced growers like Wang Dinglu, greenhouse farming has become a lifeline, providing year-round income and a steady means of improving their operations.
Revamping Greenhouses for Success
Wang Dinglu, who has over 20 years of experience in greenhouse farming, has seen firsthand the benefits of upgrading his facilities. He started by planting seasonal vegetables, but his recent focus on pepino melons has significantly increased his profits. With a steady income of over 70,000 yuan annually, his once-dilapidated greenhouses have played a key role in his family’s financial stability.
This year, Wang took advantage of a government subsidy program aimed at revitalizing older greenhouses with thin walls and outdated structures. The local government provided 450,000 yuan to upgrade 40 greenhouses in the village, ensuring they were better insulated and structurally sound. Wang expanded his two greenhouses from 600 to over 1,000 square meters, replacing bamboo poles with steel frames and reinforcing the walls. The 12,000-yuan subsidy per greenhouse has given him the confidence to expect even higher earnings next year, as he anticipates improved yields from his newly revamped space.
Pepino Melons: A New Cash Crop
For many farmers like Fang Caiqin, the switch to pepino melon has opened new doors for profitability. Fang, who has been growing vegetables for years, recently planted three greenhouses full of pepino melons. She refers to her greenhouses as “wealth shelters”—spaces where she can experiment with new varieties and techniques to optimize yields. After receiving a government subsidy to upgrade her greenhouse equipment last year, Fang has embraced digital tools to market her produce. Last summer, she sold over 110,000 yuan worth of pepino melons through social media platforms and online marketplaces.
By implementing modern farming techniques, such as replacing old greenhouse films with improved versions for better insulation and light penetration, Fang has set herself up for success. If weather conditions remain favorable, she expects her winter crop of melons to hit the market just before the lucrative Chinese New Year period.
Technology and Innovation Driving Yield Improvements
Innovation plays a crucial role in the success of Gaotai’s greenhouse farms. Farmers are leveraging agricultural science and technology to boost their yields and optimize production. Zhang Guifang, another local farmer, recently rented a second greenhouse after witnessing the profitability of pepino melons. While selling during the peak fruit season can be challenging, she has overcome this hurdle by combining direct sales with contract-based purchases from local distributors, maintaining a healthy income.
Xu Xingbin, a science officer in Xuanhua Town, explains that the key to increasing profits lies in early planting and the use of disease-resistant seedlings. By working with institutions like Yunnan Agricultural University, Gaotai has adopted virus-free seedlings that not only enhance crop resilience but also improve yields. This year, farmers transplanted their pepino seedlings 20 days earlier than usual, leading to a bumper crop in the summer. On average, each greenhouse produces around 5 tons of fruit, generating over 40,000 yuan in revenue.
Cooperative Models and Expert Guidance
The success of Gaotai’s greenhouse industry stems from a collaborative approach that involves farmers, enterprises, and scientific institutions. The town’s agricultural initiatives follow the “Party Leadership, Enterprise Promotion, Farmer Participation, and Cooperative Success” model. This structure encourages capable households to take the lead in adopting new varieties and technologies, which are then shared with others through cooperative groups. Local experts from the Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yunnan Agricultural University, and Peili Vocational College provide on-site guidance, helping farmers diagnose plant diseases, analyze soil conditions, and refine pest control strategies.
To ensure sustained growth and market success, the town has implemented a full-cycle support system, including pre-production contracts, in-season technical assistance, and post-harvest marketing services. This holistic approach guarantees seedling supply, encourages expanded greenhouse production, and strengthens the overall profitability of the region’s greenhouse farms.
Gaotai County’s greenhouse farming sector is thriving, thanks to the adoption of modern technologies, government support, and close collaboration with scientific experts. Farmers like Wang Dinglu and Fang Caiqin are reaping the benefits of these advancements, transforming their operations into profitable ventures. With the introduction of high-value crops such as pepino melons, and with improved infrastructure, greenhouse farming is set to continue playing a crucial role in boosting both household incomes and local economic development.
