Pumpkin harvest boosts rural incomes in Xifeng

A bumper harvest of "Miben" pumpkins is bringing higher incomes to farmers in Shangba village, Jiuzhuang town, Xifeng county, Southwest China's Guizhou province, as the town develops the crop into a specialty agricultural industry.

Farmers harvest pumpkins in Jiuzhuang town. [Photo/xifeng.gov.cn]

This year, Xifeng Yongshun Vegetable Planting Cooperative leased more than 200 mu (13.3 hectares) of land in Shangba and adopted a cooperative-led model involving agricultural bases and local farmers. With improved field management, yields have reached about 2,500 kilograms per mu. The pumpkins are popular with buyers and consumers for their thick, soft, and sweet flesh, as well as their long shelf life and suitability for long-distance transportation.

To support farmers, the cooperative provides quality seedlings and free technical guidance throughout the growing season, covering seedling cultivation, fertilizer management, and pest control. As pumpkin prices fell this year, Jiuzhuang town encouraged the cooperative to sign purchase agreements with farmers and provide door-to-door collection. The measure has helped ease concerns over selling the harvest.

The pumpkin industry is also creating jobs for nearby villagers. Residents can earn 150 yuan ($23) a day working at the base, allowing them to farm, care for their families, and earn additional income. Jiuzhuang plans to expand pumpkin cultivation and further develop specialty vegetable farming to boost rural incomes and support rural revitalization.