In Qiubei County’s Shuanglongying Town, a specialized vegetable base is making waves by supplying premium greens like Shanghai greens, choy sum, and mustard greens to Hong Kong markets. Operated by Yunnan Maoli Agricultural Development Co., this initiative has not only increased local farm revenues but also created significant employment opportunities.
Economic Impact: Land Leases, Jobs, and Community Growth
- Land Leases & Collective Income: The project has leased 1,400 out of a planned 2,000 acres, paying ¥2.1 million (290,000)annually∗∗inlandrentstofarmers.Additionally,thelocalvillagecollectiveearns∗∗¥140,000(290,000)annually∗∗inlandrentstofarmers.Additionally,thelocalvillagecollectiveearns∗∗¥140,000(19,300) per year in management fees.
- Employment Benefits: With 8+ months of annual operations, the farm employs 40-50 workers daily, paying ¥130-150 (18−21)perday∗∗,contributing∗∗¥1.3million(18−21)perday∗∗,contributing∗∗¥1.3million(180,000) in local wages annually.
Advanced Infrastructure for Quality Assurance
The farm features:
- 3,000 m² sorting and packing facilities
- 1,000 m² cold storage
- 223 m² quality inspection lab
This ensures compliance with Hong Kong’s strict food safety standards, a market where mainland China supplies 90% of fresh vegetables (Hong Kong Census & Statistics, 2023).
Why This Model Works
- Short Crop Cycles: Fast-growing leafy greens allow multiple harvests per year, maximizing land use efficiency.
- Strong Export Demand: Hong Kong’s vegetable imports from mainland China reached 724,000 tonnes in 2023 (HK Trade Development Council), ensuring stable prices.
- Government & Private Collaboration: Local authorities facilitated land access, while private investment brought expertise and market linkages.
A Replicable Success Story
Qiubei’s “Hong Kong-bound vegetable” base demonstrates how targeted high-value crop production, infrastructure investment, and market-driven farming can uplift rural economies. Similar regions could adopt this model, leveraging export opportunities and agri-tech advancements to boost farmer incomes sustainably.
