Guiyang farmer uplifts village with ginger

Liu's ginger base is equipped with drip irrigation systems. [Photo/Huaxi district media center]

Amid Huaxi district's push to develop Guiyang's specialty vegetable industries, Liu Zhengyin, a major grower in Maling village, has sought external partnerships, collaborating with partners from Zhaosi village to embark on a journey of ginger cultivation.

Through land transfer agreements, Liu has consolidated 100 mu (6.7 hectares) of contiguous farmland for centralized, standardized cultivation. His partners have brought extensive expertise in growing ginger and chives, taking charge as technical advisors.

Maling's superior soil and water resources offered unique advantages, and to maximize yield and quality, drip irrigation systems have been installed, enabling precise control of water volume and timing tailored to each growth stage of the ginger.

As Liu's enterprise expands, it creates local employment opportunities. Farmers working at the ginger base have earned income while learning techniques. For those interested in independent cultivation, Liu has shared his knowledge from seed selection and field management to pest control and drip irrigation operation. Many farmers, now equipped with the required skills, have joined the industry through small-scale planting or partnerships with larger growers.

The current harvest of erhuang ginger is exceptional, yielding 4,000 kilograms per mu. With wholesale prices stable at about 2.8 yuan ($0.38) per 500 grams, net profits reach about 14,000 yuan per mu after costs, delivering remarkable economic returns.

Post-harvest, Liu plans to introduce chives using a "ginger + chives" rotation model. This staggered planting approach will flexibly respond to market demand while boosting land productivity.