Jiangsu promotes poverty alleviation and rural revitalization

2020-05-27 16:08:00

NPC deputy Lu Man, also chairman of Tianhe Ecological Agricultural Cooperative in Jianhu County, Yancheng City and CPPCC member Xu Dayong, also president of the Lianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences shared their views on poverty alleviation and rural revitalization during an interview with Xinhua Daily.

Q: How do you think of the progress to align poverty alleviation with rural revitalization? How can agricultural and rural development bring a greater sense of happiness to the people?

Lu Man: Ten years ago, after graduating from university, my husband and I gave up our white-collar jobs in big cities and returned to our hometown - Chenjia Village in Gaozuo Town of Jianhu County. We have been dedicated to rural development by running a turkey farm in an environmentally friendly way. The integration of Internet has bolstered income in the countryside. During the Singles’ Day shopping festival in 2015, our sales exceeded 4.8 million yuan. Then in 2016, our turkey products captured one third of the country’s market.

Xu Dayong: during the supply-side structural reform in agriculture in recent years, Lianyungang has encouraged top agricultural enterprises, family farms and cooperatives to give full play to their leading role, supported initiatives of agricultural branding, smart agriculture, ecotourism and agricultural efficiency, and also kept improving farmer’s income amid rural revitalization.

Q: How to be creative and lead more people to shake off poverty?

Lu Man: to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the key is to have innovative people. To attract talent for rural revitalization, the first priority is to have an overall guideline from the top. Countryside needs talents of skillful farmers and other professionals who can become pioneers and inspire other people.

Xu Dayong: my suggestion is to promote role-model projects to revitalize the rural area, support innovative initiatives in accordance to local conditions, strengthen rural industry, and focus on the sustainable development path.

Q: How do you think Jiangsu can be goal-oriented in rural development and increase farmer’s income.

Lu Man: I would like to share my research into Hengdong Village in Hengji Town about the housing renovation, a pilot project in northern Jiangsu villages. Hengdong had more than 200 villagers to leave their old dilapidated houses and move into new ones. While their living condition is much better, the next key step is to help them increase income and promote agricultural and rural modernization.

Xu Dayong: We will provide scientific and technological support for the revitalization of the countryside, develop modern agriculture, and encourage agricultural specialists to make efforts on two fronts. On one hand, they will connect with upstream research institutes to introduce new varieties and technologies suitable for local application. On the other hand, they will help farmers directly to try out with new varieties and technologies.

Q: In the future, what are the opportunities for rural revitalization? How to achieve better achievement in both agriculture and village?

Lu Man: Firstly, to increase the standardized production to a wilder scope in order to improve the quality control and increase consumer’s awareness and confidence. Secondly, it’s necessary to improve the rural logistics system, although at present the logistics service cover 90 percent of townships.

Xu Dayong: It’s important to seize the opportunity of supply-side structural reform in agriculture, improve the construction of agricultural infrastructure, adhere to green development, and promote the integrated development of the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries in rural areas. It’s also important to accelerate the continuous improvement of the rural habitat environment, promote ecological farming in line with high standards and push "toilet revolution" to improve hygiene standards.