1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 332 Achieved
After arriving in Huacheng, Ma Ming first met with relevant departments before contacting Chen Jiazhi.

That same day, I visited markets in Jiangnan and Yuexiu, and also met stall number 63 of Kaopu Fresh.

Just as prices were soaring, the group witnessed firsthand the booming sales of leafy greens at the stalls.

Besides leafy greens, solanaceous vegetables are also selling very well in the market.

I also learned the prices of various vegetables.

This is a completely different scene from selling vegetables at the production site, and Ma Ming, who is voluntarily stepping out for the first time, has profound insights.

The first thing you notice is the difference in quality and packaging. Due to the special nature of winter and early spring vegetables and the limitations of transportation capacity, Yuanmou vegetables pay more attention to storage and transportation resistance and high yield, and always put quality last.

In the past, when greenhouse vegetable production was not well-developed, Yuanmou's vegetables had a good market and merchants would come to them. Even today, many people are still living in the past glory.

However, after his previous conversation with Chen Jiazhi, Ma Ming, who had conducted research, carried out another investigation.

As expected, there were far fewer merchants visiting last winter and this early spring. There was little change in the Northwest, but the number of merchants from the Northeast and North China decreased significantly.

Everything was developing in the direction Chen Jiazhi had predicted, so Ma Ming withstood internal pressure and led his team to Huacheng to see the market trends firsthand.

From the market to the vegetable market, from the stalls to the cold storage, Ma Ming felt he had gained a lot.

"This trip was worthwhile; it made me realize my own problems."

Zhao Zegao, the deputy leader of the team, said, "Director Ma, some of these are insurmountable difficulties, and even if we see them, they are hard to solve."

“I know what you’re trying to say, it’s about transportation restrictions.” Ma Ming pointed to a box of vegetables being packed. “But packaging, grading by size, and sorting by variety are things we can do now. Besides, transportation conditions are improving.”

Chen Jiazhi was standing nearby and overheard their discussion, but he didn't say anything. He continued to introduce the vegetable packaging and grading, cold storage, and foam box factories.

He then led the group into the conference room. Besides him, the people from the market included Peng Qian, Ji Song, and Fang Xuelin. After pouring tea, they began their conversation.

"Mr. Chen, I didn't expect your business in Huacheng to be so successful. You're a promising young man!"

"You flatter me, Director Ma," Chen Jiazhi said with a smile. "No matter what, we're still just farmers who till the land."

"Sales exceeding ten million yuan in half a year, you're quite an extraordinary farmer." Ma Ming pondered for a moment and said, "I won't beat around the bush. The county agreed to let me come here, firstly for inspection and learning, and secondly to bring policies to attract investment."

I ran into you at the Yuanmou Nengyu Agricultural Wholesale Market last time; Yuanmou must have some appealing qualities for Mr. Chen.

Ma Ming observed Chen Jiazhi's expression and then introduced the local policies that could be offered, including land, subsidies, and administrative support.

Overall, it was unremarkable.

At this time, Yuanmou was also relatively poor and could not offer many favorable conditions.

Ma Ming was also a little uneasy, so he could only mention the local climate, manpower and other advantages.

After listening for a while, Chen Jiazhi took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.

"Director Ma, from a transportation standpoint, Yuanmou is indeed not attractive to me at the moment."

"However, the dry and hot valley climate of Yuanmou is extremely suitable for the seed propagation of cruciferous vegetables, and is also very suitable for the introduction of new varieties and seedling cultivation."

"Yeah!"

Ma Ming immediately smiled and said, "Yuanmou has a long history of seed industry development. China Seed Company has a base in Yuanmou, mainly for winter breeding of corn and wheat, with an annual output of tens of millions of kilograms."

Chen Jiazhi then asked, "What about the scale of vegetable breeding and seed production?"

Ma Ming hesitated for a moment, then said truthfully, "Our vegetable supply is slightly inferior, but there are research institutions doing research in this area. However, Mr. Chen, don't worry, Yuanmou has many local vegetable varieties."

Chen Jiazhi didn't believe it and said in a deep voice, "Compared to the vegetable market, I would actually prefer to run a seedling project in Yunnan."

"Seedlings?"

"Yes, intensive, factory-style seedling cultivation."

Chen Jiazhi used a sophisticated term that Ma Ming, Zhao Zegao, and the others had never heard before, and they all hesitated to speak.

"Factory-style vegetable seedling production mainly refers to the method of using tray seedling cultivation to provide suitable conditions for seedling growth and to carry out mass production."

It allows for precise sowing and seedling emergence in one go, offering unparalleled advantages over traditional soil-bed seedling cultivation. Our market also has a seedling nursery; we can go take a look later. The conditions are relatively basic, but it can still serve as a reference.

Chen Jiazhi gave a brief explanation, and everyone understood the gist of it.

Zhao Zegao was not optimistic: "Factory-style seedling cultivation is not cheap, and people are used to the traditional method of seedling cultivation in soil beds."

Chen Jiazhi thought to himself that the production and management departments were probably used to the traditional seedling cultivation methods.

Ma Ming also asked, "Could Mr. Chen elaborate on the specific advantages of this seedling cultivation method?"

Chen Jiazhi considered for a moment and said, "Traditional seedling cultivation uses a large amount of seeds. In addition, seedling cultivation in summer is affected by high temperatures, heavy rain, and drought, while seedlings in winter, late autumn, or early spring are affected by low temperatures. Seedlings are prone to problems such as seed rot, bud rot, root rot, root burn, seedling burn, seedling flash, aging seedlings, seedlings with capping, and excessive growth of seedlings."
Factory-grown seedlings have high germination and seedling survival rates, well-developed root systems, high survival rates after transplanting, stronger seedling growth, more nutrient accumulation, and stronger resistance.

For example, the leafy vegetable seedlings at Jiangxin Vegetable Market have a short recovery period after transplanting, grow quickly, and bolt late.

Such advantages are obvious.

After a pause, Chen Jiazhi continued, "Furthermore, we will introduce superior varieties from both domestic and international sources, screen and combine seedling substrates, collect and screen vegetable rootstock resources, and adopt grafting techniques to further improve the yield and resistance of seedlings."

At the same time, demonstration planting bases will be established in the early stages, and promotion will be carried out by providing farmers with free seedlings.

As long as seedlings can bring tangible benefits to farmers, especially with the introduction of high-end vegetable seeds, which increases the risks for farmers to raise their own seedlings, the promotion of factory-style seedling production has a promising future.

The total investment for the entire project was not large; the demonstration base and seedling nursery cost a total of two million yuan.

As Ma Ming listened, he took notes in his notebook. When he heard the figure of two million yuan, he nodded slightly, thinking that with that amount, he could have an explanation to give when he got back.

He looked at his notebook again, noting that he had highlighted the introduction of new varieties, seedling substrates, grafting techniques, and so on.

It fully highlights two words: technology.

As a witness to the development of the vegetable industry in Yuanmou, Ma Ming knows that breakthroughs in planting technology are also a major contributor to the success of the industry.

He slammed his hand on the table. "Okay, this project is the one!"

Chen Jiazhi said, "Director Ma, although Yuanmou is very good, I have also visited Chenggong. Kunming has more advantages in terms of transportation and economy."

Ma Ming chuckled and said, "President Chen, you can't joke like that. Yuanmou's vegetable cultivation ranks first in the province, and it also has a climate advantage. Kunming doesn't have such a large market."

Chen Jiazhi said, "Just because we don't have it now doesn't mean we won't have it in the future. If we can open up the southern market, Kunming's vegetable growth potential is no less than that of Yuanmou."

Of course, Yuanmou also has obvious advantages: better climate conditions and more mature industries.

Upon hearing this, Ma Ming understood.

"Mr. Chen, please tell me what other conditions you have. I will do my best to negotiate for what I can!"

Chen Jiazhi smiled and said, "I won't make things difficult for Director Ma. Yunnan has abundant wild plant resources of the Solanaceae family, and the nursery needs these resources. So I would like to ask the bureau to act as a bridge when needed."

"Hey, Mr. Chen, you startled me," Ma Ming said. "This is simple, leave it to me."

Following that, the two sides had some detailed exchanges and communications.

If both parties are interested, then this project is pretty much a good fit.

Chen Jiazhi didn't expect much help from the local government, and the local government couldn't provide much substantial subsidy, but it could still overcome many obstacles.

Ideally, this project should be profitable on its own; only then can it be sustainable and achieve a win-win situation.

After reaching a cooperation agreement, Chen Jiazhi took Ma Ming and his group to the seedling nursery. It wasn't particularly high-end, but the seedlings in the plug trays were growing very well, and the transplanting results were also excellent.

On the way back from the nursery, the trucks that were being loaded for shipment to Hong Kong were being loaded and set off. Someone asked how much a truckload could sell for.

Upon learning that each vehicle would cost 50,000 to 60,000 yuan, it elicited further astonishment.

At the opportune moment, Chen Jiazhi painted another rosy picture: "Director Ma, when the conditions are right, the demonstration base of the seedling farm in Yuanmou can also be turned into a supply base for Hong Kong."

Ma Ming, Zhao Zegao, and the others' eyes lit up instantly.

(End of this chapter)