Era: I was a farmer at the foot of Yaoling Mountain

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

The news that the cooperative had cultivated a new rice variety was reported by the commune to the county and region, and immediately sparked heated discussions.

This year, due to reduced grain production in various regions, there has been considerable discontent with the provincial government's previous decision to vigorously promote low-priced rice varieties. Now, with the cooperative having cultivated such excellent rice varieties, a wave of criticism has erupted.

Fang Wei instructed Zhao Jinsheng to inform all customers that they could pick up their goods shortly.

Due to a mutation in the rice variety, the previously intended "Nanguang No. 3" variety is no longer available; only "Nanguang No. 4" is available. However, the new rice variety is more expensive, and if this is unacceptable, the previous intended contract can be cancelled.

Despite feeling the pinch, the customers rushed over to pay and pick up their goods immediately.

They knew that if they arrived late, there might be no stock left. Just look at the dire situation in the surrounding counties and cities to see that good rice varieties can be a lifesaver in critical moments, at least preventing a significant reduction in yield.

The Yao village and other communes have also completed their harvest tasks one after another. The yield of the [Nongyou 76] rice variety in the Yao village is basically the same as last year, while the rice yield in other communes has decreased slightly, but the decrease is very small.

Next, everyone was busy rushing to plant, and since it was already late, if they didn't hurry, it would affect the autumn harvest.

The entire Xinlin County has completed its summer planting, while other affected areas are only beginning to harvest rice. A significant reduction in yield this season is a foregone conclusion, and it will also affect the autumn harvest.

Recently.

Zhao Jinsheng led a transport team to various communes to purchase rice. This year, the price of rice has increased, but because purchase contracts were signed in advance, the purchase price is basically the same as last year.

"Chairman Zhao, there's nothing wrong with following the contract. The problem is that the price of rice has risen so much this year. Could you please raise the price for us?"

The contract effectively mitigates the risks for farmers. Grain prices fluctuate in both directions, with both increases and decreases. This means the cooperative provides a safety net, preventing farmers from losing money after a year of hard work.

However, this year, the price of rice has surged, and farmers are losing money if they sell at the contract price.

"The cooperative is currently holding a meeting to discuss this matter and will come up with a solution soon. We will purchase the goods according to the contract price first, and once the cooperative has reached a decision, we will make up the difference if the price increases."

Zhao Jinsheng did not refuse outright; he was not lying. There was also controversy within the company regarding the acquisition price this year.

Everyone is busy right now and hasn't had time to finalize this matter yet, so he can only give everyone a vague reply.

However, the farmers trusted Fang Wei and the cooperative, and were especially grateful to the "Nanguang No. 3" rice variety for saving them. So they sold their rice to the cooperative without hesitation, keeping only their own food and the grain that needed to be handed over to the state.

Fang Wei and others were also busy selling the [Nongyou 76] and [Nanguang No. 3] rice seeds, receiving batches of customers.

The trucks in the transport team were never idle, shuttling back and forth day and night. Even so, many of the transport tasks were still completed by other transport companies.

After finishing this matter, Fang Wei convened a council meeting to discuss the price of rice purchases.

Ultimately, it was decided to acquire the company at 10% above the contract price, which satisfied everyone and left no room for complaint.

“Secretary, this year, not only are the rice seedlings in high demand, but our Yaoling rice is also selling well.”

Zhao Jinsheng happily completed the rice purchasing task, and the rice mill is continuously producing [Yaoling Rice].

Unlike previous years, this year customers are coming to pick up their orders on their own initiative. The rice mill is almost surrounded by these people. As soon as a batch of rice is produced, someone pays and picks it up immediately.

Some people were even willing to pay extra to get the goods first.

"This year, rice production has decreased to varying degrees across the province, so it's normal for supplies to be tight. However, please note that we must adhere to the contract. Units that have signed supply and sales contracts must deliver goods to them as agreed."

The cooperative's brand is very successful. 【Yaoling Rice】has gained considerable popularity throughout the country and has built a mature sales network.

Therefore, he demanded that Zhao Jinsheng's side not be impatient for quick success and instant benefits, but must first ensure the supply of the contract, which in other words, ensure the smooth flow of sales channels.

Those customers who want to make quick money are naturally placed last in line.

"OK, I see."

Zhao Jinsheng immediately made arrangements, and Yaoling rice flowed continuously to markets in various places.

People's attitudes are gradually changing, and good quality rice will naturally be more expensive. Many people have chosen the [Yaoling Rice] brand, and sales are very good.

After all, there are still some people who prefer to eat higher quality rice, and they are willing to accept higher prices for better quality.

While the rice produced from other regions of the "Nanguang No. 3" variety is no different in quality and is of good quality, it can only be sold at a lower price because it lacks origin certification and brand recognition, and it cannot be openly called Yaoling Rice.

Even this portion of rice is very popular in the market.

The cooperative has completed the purchase of rice, and Zhao Jinsheng is leading a team to re-sign contracts with them.

"We have recently developed the Nanguang No. 4 rice variety. If you plant it, the yield will be about 1500 jin per mu, and the quality is even better. So, starting next season, we will be purchasing this rice variety."

Zhao Jinsheng and others repeatedly promoted the "Nanguang No. 4" to everyone, highlighting its advantages.

Although the price of the rice seed is slightly higher than that of the "Nanguang No. 3" variety, the yield is also higher and the taste is better, so it is still a good deal.

"Chairman Zhao, we don't need you to tell us. We'll start planting [Nanguang No. 4] this season."

“You can’t do this. I’m still planting Nanguang No. 3 this season. I had a lot of leftover seeds from before, and I used them all this season.”

"Yes, can we balance both during the transition period? Why don't you purchase both varieties of rice together?"

The situation this season is rather complicated. Some people have planted "Nanguang No. 4," but a large number of farmers are still planting "Nanguang No. 3." After all, the seeds bought are not necessarily used up all at once, and stockpiling seeds is a common practice.

Zhao Jinsheng had no choice but to re-sign contracts with the farmers who had planted "Nanguang No. 4". The farmers who had previously signed contracts to plant "Nanguang No. 3" were still under contract and the cooperative had to continue to enforce those contracts.

He felt very troubled and went back to ask Fang Wei for advice.

"This is simple. Have the rice mill redesign the packaging. For rice processed from [Nanguang No. 4] rice, you can add the words [Premium Selection] to the packaging."

Aren't many farmers still planting "Nanguang No. 3" rice this season? Rice processed from this variety can continue to use the old packaging; this way, there won't be any confusion.

The two types of rice have different prices, so the selling price of rice is also different. The best way to distinguish them is by their packaging.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinsheng thought it was a great idea, so he went to the rice mill and asked them to quickly produce a new packaging bag for use after the autumn harvest.

Just as everyone was busy with their work, a document was issued from above. This was a momentous event; the people's commune, which had lasted for over twenty years, came to an end and completely withdrew from the stage of history.

Fang Wei convened a rare general meeting of all members, using the broadcasting system of each brigade to convey the spirit of the document to every member.

"The higher authorities decided to abolish communes, brigades, and production teams, and then establish townships and administrative villages."

Fang Wei read the document word by word, then went to the conference room to continue the council meeting.

The transformation of communes into townships was expected. The two levels of production brigades and production teams were abolished, and administrative villages were established, turning the three-level management system into a two-level system.

After all, with the land distributed to individual households, the brigade and production team levels were practically defunct, so the grassroots organizations in rural areas definitely needed to be rebuilt.

The situation of the cooperative was different back then, and Fang Wei hoped that everyone would make preparations in advance, actively cooperate with the work of their superiors in the process, and try to negotiate as much as possible in areas where there were conflicts of authority.

the next day.

Fang Wei, Zhao Jinsheng, and about twenty others arrived at Zheng Xianfa's office.

Zheng Xianfa and Zheng Hu invited everyone to the conference room and then began the meeting.

"Secretary Fang, everyone, from now on our Yaoling Commune will be officially renamed [Yaoling Township]. Based on the actual situation of your cooperative, the higher authorities have decided to establish nine administrative villages."

You will appoint your own village leadership teams, then report them to the township and county governments. The village Party secretary will be someone who previously served as the brigade Party secretary. However, there is one condition: the village Party secretary cannot serve as a director in the cooperative.

Zheng Xianfa explained the principles of this round of commune-to-township reform, and then put forward specific requirements for the cooperatives.

After being idle for several years, he and Zheng Hu finally started getting busy again. Recently, all ten or so people in the commune have been extremely busy, practically never having a moment to rest, and working overtime is the norm.

The commune had fewer than twenty people from top to bottom. It is said that when it is changed to Yaoling Township, more people will be needed.

Fang Wei and the others made detailed notes, and after returning, they all took action.

Fortunately, each brigade had enough office space, so the village committees were established first, and the candidates for village party secretary and village committee members were quickly reported to the township and county governments.

For the cooperative, there hasn't been much change.

Previously, the entire Yaoling Commune had 17 production brigades, which meant there were 17 brigade secretaries. Apart from some people serving as council members, it was not difficult to select 9 people from the rest to serve as village secretaries.

The skeleton is the same one from the old commune era, and the people are the same people, just described in a different way.

However, the township underwent significant changes, especially with its population more than doubling to 40 people in a short period. Since the township directly manages the various administrative villages, conflicts with the cooperative are inevitable in some matters.

The cooperative actually has some management functions, and members are used to going to the cooperative for any problems, so the township's anti-corruption work is not easy to carry out in some aspects.

"This will probably require a period of adjustment. Everyone should be polite to the township officials, discuss things amicably, and avoid making them feel awkward."

Fang Wei gave instructions to the middle and senior management of the cooperative, expressing his desire to maintain good relations with the township.

But he was also well aware that conflicts were inevitable because the cooperative and the township had overlapping powers.

Previously, Zheng Xianfa and Zheng Hu didn't manage things much, basically letting the cooperative do as it pleased. But now that there are more people in the township and the division of labor has become more detailed, they can't solve all the problems either.

The initial work of transforming communes into townships was completed amidst a flurry of activity.

The cooperative's operations remained unaffected and continued to develop as planned. The members' support for the cooperative was genuine; it stemmed from their heartfelt and conscious commitment to protecting the cooperative's interests.

Time flies.

It's chili-picking season again.

Zhang Chu personally led a team to purchase chili peppers throughout the county. Of course, this purchase was conditional: the chili peppers grown by farmers had to be from seeds provided by the cooperative, and the quality of the chili peppers had to meet the factory's quality requirements.

In addition, the cooperative also planted a season of chili peppers, so the raw materials for the chili sauce factory were not a problem at all.

The factory has not only developed a series of chili sauces, but also several flavors of chopped chili, as well as chili with fermented black beans, chili threads, chili oil, chili powder, dried chili, and so on.

All products are selling like hotcakes thanks to the popularity of [Yaoling Chili].

The cooperative no longer sells fresh chili peppers to the public; all its products are finished products that have undergone primary or advanced processing, thus forging a new path for agricultural product processing.

morning.

Fang Wei received a call in his office from the county, saying that a group of national representatives were about to arrive at the cooperative for an inspection, and that Fang Wei was responsible for receiving them.

Fang Wei knew about this; a representative had given him a heads-up when he was attending a meeting in Beijing.

I just didn't expect them to arrive so late.

After hanging up the phone, he didn't ask anyone to make any preparations because there wasn't enough time; the other party would arrive in about an hour.

Forty minutes later.

A large bus arrived at the headquarters of the Yaoling Cooperative, and about twenty people got out of the bus shortly afterward.

Leading the group was Wu Tianming, and all of them were representatives; Huang Zhigang personally accompanied them.

"Welcome, representatives, to our work. Please come in!"

Fang Wei and the board members invited the group into the meeting room, then served hot tea and fruit platters. Everyone had to exchange ideas first before discussing other arrangements.

"Secretary Fang, everyone, we came here primarily to observe and learn. In addition, we also want to investigate and see how the land distribution to individual households differs from your collective economy."

Wu Tianming was the leader of this event. After sitting down, he directly stated the purpose of the group's visit.

There are many rumors circulating. Some say the Yaoling Agricultural Cooperative is thriving, with members earning high incomes that are the envy of many. Others say the cooperative is all show and no substance, and the reality is far from what's claimed.

Therefore, these representatives wanted to come and see for themselves the true situation of the cooperative.

"Welcome, welcome! Since the cooperative was established, very few leaders have come to inspect our work; you are the highest-level inspection team I've ever received. Shall I take you on a tour of the cooperative premises?" (End of Chapter)