In a recent interview with members of the Kengkou Village community in Zudun Township, Songxi County, Nanping City, it’s clear that the courtyard economy is emerging as a pivotal force in rural economic development. Villagers are harnessing their unique resources to turn the area’s mountainous assets into profitable enterprises, especially through the beloved local delicacy—bamboo shoots.
One villager, Zhen Yiping, expressed his excitement about producing pickled bamboo shoots, stating, “This is our first year making them, so our supply is limited right now. But if demand increases next year, we plan to ramp up production.” Zhen has begun packaging his pickled bamboo shoots for the local cooperative, benefiting from its unified procurement system, which alleviates concerns about sales.
Kengkou Village has embraced the “one village, one product” strategy, designating pickled bamboo shoots as its primary courtyard economy initiative. Village Secretary Chen Shangyu explained, “We have more than 3,000 acres of bamboo groves, and every household participates in bamboo cultivation. During the peak season, fresh bamboo shoots can sell for just a few dimes per pound, but once they are processed into pickled bamboo shoots, the cooperative buys them for 10 yuan per pound. This incentivizes more villagers to get involved.”
In addition to pickled bamboo shoots, the cultivation of the Wuzhi Maotao, or Five-Finger Peach, illustrates a deeper commitment to self-sufficiency and courtyard economics. Nearby, in Shuiyuanling, the cooperative has cultivated over 50 acres of this robust fruit. “The roots of the Wuzhi Maotao can be used as medicinal materials, and we can ship them to other regions,” said Li Bo, head of the county’s professional cooperative. After returning to his hometown from a construction business, Li is dedicated to creating local job opportunities by trial planting this fruit and encouraging villagers to grow it in their backyards.
A thriving courtyard economy relies on organization, guidance, and technical support. Kengkou Village utilizes a model that integrates village collectives, professional cooperatives, individual farmers, and enterprises. This structure allows for meticulous oversight from planting to production, with enterprises taking charge of sales, which effectively addresses market access challenges.
Currently, farmers processing pickled bamboo shoots anticipate an average annual income increase of over 3,000 yuan, while Wuzhi Maotao cultivation is projected to yield approximately 1,500 yuan in net profit per acre each year. Looking forward, Secretary Chen shared, “We plan to extend the industry chain by adding more processing options for the Wuzhi Maotao, such as drying and packaging. We also aim to expand cultivation and support neighboring farmers interested in joining our efforts.”
This proactive approach not only enhances individual incomes but also strengthens the entire community, laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.
