In Zhijin County, Guizhou Province, a significant expansion in pumpkin cultivation has led to increased exports and economic benefits for local farmers. Known as China’s “hometown of pumpkins,” the county produces over 100,000 tonnes annually, involving more than 30,000 local farmers.
The contract-based farming model has been pivotal in this growth. Farmers enter agreements to sell their produce to companies before planting, ensuring stable income and market access. For instance, Yang Chuang, a 27-year-old farmer, initially cultivated 2 hectares of pumpkins in 2023 under the guidance of Nongyao Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. Encouraged by the guaranteed purchase and profits, he expanded his plantation to 20 hectares in 2024, yielding over 700 tonnes.
Nongyao Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., a key enterprise in Zhijin County, has played a crucial role by purchasing pumpkins and processing them into dehydrated products for export. In 2024, the company’s exports totaled 23.16 million yuan (approximately 3.19 million U.S. dollars), marking a 345 percent increase from the previous year. In the first two months of 2025, exports reached 8.75 million yuan. The company’s production capacity includes 7,500 tonnes of pumpkin strips and granules annually, along with 3,000 tonnes of other dehydrated vegetables.
To meet growing demand, Nongyao is securing supply contracts across Guizhou and neighboring provinces such as Hubei, Sichuan, and Yunnan. The company has already signed contracts to export processed agricultural products, including pumpkin, chili pepper, and tomato, to countries like the Republic of Korea, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
The provincial government plans to expand contract-based pumpkin cultivation to over 13,000 hectares in 2025, with an estimated output of 500,000 tonnes. This initiative aims to further develop agriculture in the region’s mountainous terrains. Since 2023, Guizhou has been integrating rural industries with foreign trade, fostering enterprises with strong local characteristics and export potential to access international markets.
Beyond pumpkins, other counties like Cengong have entered global markets, exporting specialty fruits such as pomelos, tangerines, kiwi, and passion fruit to countries including Russia, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
This agricultural development reflects a broader trend in Southwest China, where provinces like Yunnan have seen organic vegetable exports become economic drivers, providing more opportunities for local farmers and processors.
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