As autumn harvest season kicks in, Banzhongying Village in Lankongkou Town, Qinghai Province, is bustling with activity. This rural area, with its expansive fields of celery and lettuce and rows of vegetable greenhouses, has built a strong reputation for its agricultural productivity. The Qinghai Changqing Vegetable Planting Cooperative, established in 2008, has played a pivotal role in transforming the village’s agricultural landscape, helping farmers thrive through effective production and distribution strategies.
Local farmer Di Yulin, who grows leafy vegetables like celtuce in four greenhouses, mentions that the crops are sold either at the village’s sales point or the wholesale market in Dabaozi Town. Despite the challenging nature of farming, especially in mountainous Qinghai, the steady demand for high-quality produce has kept prices stable and made farming a reliable source of income.
Cooperative Power: Expanding Production and Employment
At the heart of this transformation is the Qinghai Changqing Vegetable Planting Cooperative, which is more than just a farming collective. In 2023, it secured 15.9 million yuan in rural revitalization funds, establishing a vegetable packaging and processing production line. This investment has created a complete supply chain in the village, from growing and processing to packaging and marketing vegetables. The cooperative’s efforts have also spread to surrounding villages, helping more than 12 neighboring communities develop their own vegetable production capabilities.
This integrated approach has brought new job opportunities to the villagers. As Feng Yingcai, the village’s Party Branch Secretary, explains, none of the village’s 312 households need to seek work outside their hometown. Those who are not directly involved in farming can work in the storage and packaging facilities, providing consistent employment year-round. Villagers earn approximately 110 yuan per day for sorting and packing vegetables such as broccoli and chili peppers, contributing to an improved standard of living.
Regional Sales and Economic Impact
The cooperative’s strategy of “village collective + cooperative + base + farmer” has created an entire value chain, making the village a leader in cold-resistant vegetable production. With 80 hectares of land leased for vegetable farming, the cooperative produces more than 10 types of cool-season vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, celery, and scallions. These vegetables are not only sold locally but also shipped to major cities such as Guangzhou, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu.
In 2023, the cooperative sold over 8,000 tons of vegetables, generating 22 million yuan in revenue. By 2024, the sales figures were equally impressive, with 6,000 tons sold and a revenue of 17 million yuan by mid-year. The cooperative has established a strong presence in the domestic market, ensuring that vegetables from Banzhongying Village are known for their quality.
The success of the vegetable industry has further enhanced the village’s economic growth. Vegetable transport trucks frequently shuttle in and out of the village, some destined for provincial markets, others for far-flung regions like Jiangsu. With 312 solar-powered greenhouses and expanded vegetable-growing areas totaling 7,933 hectares in 2024, Banzhongying Village continues to push its annual vegetable output, which is projected to reach 298,000 tons by year-end.
The Role of Green Development in Sustainable Agriculture
The rise of Banzhongying Village is closely linked to the government’s push for rural revitalization and green development strategies. Qinghai Province, with its unique ecological resources, has focused on positioning itself as a hub for organic and green agricultural products. The development of vegetable farming in Huangzhong District, where Banzhongying is located, has become a model for the “vegetable basket” project, promoting sustainable, healthy, and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Qinghai’s emphasis on green agriculture is in line with the broader national goals of reducing the environmental footprint of farming while increasing production. The Qinghai Changqing Vegetable Planting Cooperative has adopted these principles, using natural resources effectively and reducing pesticide use by employing sustainable farming methods.
Banzhongying Village’s success story underscores the importance of integrating local farming communities into larger production chains. Through cooperative efforts, targeted government support, and a focus on green development, this small village in Qinghai has not only increased its vegetable production but also improved employment opportunities and raised incomes for local residents. By leveraging its unique environmental resources and investing in infrastructure, Banzhongying Village is setting an example for sustainable rural development and agricultural innovation across China.
