Tomatoes from Yangcun, Pukou

Tomatoes from Yangcun, Pukou

　　Tomato production in Yangcun, Pukou began to develop in the 1970s and 1980s. After decades of large-scale cultivation, five major tomato bases were established: Fanrong, Gaoyang, Pukou West, Shuilintou, and Hujiqiao. Currently, more than 1,400 acres of greenhouse tomatoes are grown year-round, and over 85% of the village’s residents are mainly engaged in wintering tomato greenhouse cultivation and tomato trading. It is a well-known specialized tomato-producing village. In 2002, the “Taizhou Huangyan Yuanqiao Tomato Professional Cooperative” was established here, and the “Chenyang” tomato trademark was registered. In 2004, standardized cooperative development was implemented, with 114 growers joining the cooperative. Through unified planting, management, and sales by the cooperative, the industrial level of tomato cultivation in Yuanqiao was elevated. Today, tomato production has become the pillar industry of Yangcun, Pukou, and tomato income is the main economic source for villagers.

　　 The “Chenyang” brand tomatoes have been successively recognized as a Zhejiang Province Pollution-Free Product Base, a National Pollution-Free Agricultural Product Production Area, a Zhejiang Green Agricultural Product, a National Green Food Certification, and have won the Gold Award for High-Quality Agricultural Products at the Zhejiang Provincial Agricultural Expo, among other honors. The products are sold well in cities within the province such as Taizhou, Hangzhou, and Ningbo, as well as in larger and medium-sized cities outside the province such as Nanjing, Changzhou, and Shanghai.

　　 Currently, the annual tomato planting area in Yuanqiao Town reaches over 7,500 acres, accounting for 95% of the total area in Huangyan District. The total tomato output reaches 30,000 tons, with an output value of over 50 million yuan, averaging a net income of more than 8,000 yuan per acre. Tomatoes have become a high-efficiency, distinctive pillar industry in Yuanqiao that enhances agricultural efficiency and increases farmers’ income.