1994: Vegetable farmers strike back

Chapter 386 The Hopes of the Whole Audience
Huangguayuan Town is also located on the banks of the Longchuan River, and the Chengdu-Kunming Railway has a station there.

The dam area has flat terrain, excellent water resources, and good transportation, making it ideal for developing vegetable greenhouses.

After conducting his inspection, Chen Jiazhi also initially considered investing in building 100 mu of greenhouses here to cooperate with the local government in creating a demonstration park.

Making money is secondary; he values ​​setting an example, driving the development of seedling farms, and maintaining good relations with local governments.

At the same time, Yunling Agriculture has the ability to generate its own revenue, has money in its accounts, and can also obtain bank loans when necessary, so funding is not a problem.

In addition, there is plenty of time. Once the greenhouse and supporting facilities are built, it will be just in time for the transplanting of winter and early spring vegetables.

All the conditions were suitable, and even if he failed, it wouldn't be a major setback, so he felt he could take the plunge.

For several days in a row, Chen Jiazhi and Li Xiu traveled between Yuanmou and Huangguayuan Town.

To facilitate his work, the county also recommended a local talent to him, Qi Xinghuai, a high school graduate who had been farming at home for a long time.

His family situation was also special. His elder brother, like Wang Yongxiang, was also a science and technology officer in a township, but he died three years ago while handling a rural dispute.

It is said that at the time, the villagers had a conflict and fought. The loser went home, got a bundle of explosives, rushed into the crowd, and lit the fuse.

At the time, more than 40 people were terrified and at a loss, but Qi Xinghuai's brother shielded them from the explosives with his body.

The county party committee also commended them and provided some assistance to Qi Xinghuai's family.

Over the past three years, Qi Xinghuai has frequently participated in guiding villagers in agricultural planting techniques, and he himself is also a professional vegetable grower.

When Chen Jiazhi needed to recruit people, the locals recommended 25-year-old Qi Xinghuai.

In addition to earning a salary, he also wanted to learn about greenhouse vegetable growing techniques.

Under Qi Xinghuai's guidance, Chen Jiazhi quickly became familiar with the local environment.

After communicating with the Agricultural Bureau, the scope of the 100-mu greenhouse demonstration area was determined, but it is still a field of early corn.

We can only acquire the land after the corn harvest.

However, the Yuanmou Reba area can achieve three harvests a year, and corn can be harvested in just a month or two.

This period also provides a good opportunity to do preliminary preparations.

After spending a week in Yuanmou, Chen Jiazhi prepared to leave on April 13.

Li Mingkun escorted Chen Jiazhi and Li Xiu to the train station.

"Director Li, your responsibilities will be even heavier from now on. In addition to Yuanma, you should also make more trips to Huangguayuan Town."

Li Mingkun felt both pressure and the pleasure of being trusted.

"That's all I can do."

Chen Jiazhi lit a cigarette for him, saying, "If you don't understand something, you can still call me anytime. Don't be a braggart, and always keep learning."

"I know."

Before coming to Yuanmou, Li Mingkun didn't have much experience in greenhouse cultivation. Besides learning on his own, Chen Jiazhi also remotely taught him his experience and had in-depth exchanges with him every time he came.

Based on his practical experience, Li Mingkun has now gained some insights into greenhouse cultivation.

However, it also has many shortcomings.

Chen Jiazhi knows there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of the current total production of tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants.

Chen Jiazhi added, "Some things can also be entrusted to Wang Yongxiang and Qi Xinghuai. They are locals and have an advantage in communication. If there is an opportunity, we can also recruit a few more 'technology officers'."

Li Mingkun said with a wry smile, "I'd like to, but it's not that easy."

Whether it's the story of Xinghuai's brother or Wang Yongxiang's performance, it proves that the grassroots technical extension workers in Yuanmou, who came from the background of "science and technology officers," have very high qualities.

He is educated, technically skilled, and adept at dealing with farmers.

If it weren't for policy reasons, institutional downsizing, and the fact that Yunling Agriculture arrived early, they might not have had the opportunity to recruit these people.

"Just do your best, and don't miss out on opportunities when they arise. We are currently short-staffed."

"If you don't want to stay in Yuanmou and want to venture out, you can also be recommended to the headquarters or the base in Shanghai."

"Hmm~"

"It's getting late, and I've said everything I needed to say. You can go back now; we're getting ready to get on the bus."

Li Xiu waved to Li Mingkun and said, "Old man, thank you for your hard work here."

"Call me when you arrive."

"it is good."

woohoo~
As the train whistle blew, Li Mingkun's figure disappeared from sight.

Li Xiu leaned on Chen Jiazhi's shoulder, thought for a while, and then asked, "Jiazhi, aren't you afraid that the older generation might do something underhanded?"

Chen Jiazhi pondered for a moment and said, "If you want to run a vegetable market, these things are unavoidable. You can only focus on the big picture and let go of the small details. If you control the use of large sums of money and the sales channels, there won't be any major problems."

If the water is clear, there will be no fish.

In his previous life, Chen Jiazhi also skimmed some money while working as a manager at the vegetable market, but that didn't stop him from making money for the boss.

He summarized his previous life's boss's management style: manage large-scale material procurement, secure sales channels, and leave production to the general manager's discretion.

Now, Chen Jiazhi can also make targeted adjustments to the production plan.

The chances of success will only be higher.

Li Xiu nodded gently, "Ever since the market expanded, I feel like I've grown distant from my second sister, not to mention Bai Yan and Huang Juan."

Chen Jiazhi patted her on the shoulder, "Take it easy, you can't have everything."

He also deeply understands this.

After Yi Dinggan and his three companions arrived at Jiangxin Market, Yi Dinggan never addressed them as brothers or called them by their names directly. Instead, he took the lead in addressing them as "Director Chen" or "Boss Chen," and demanded that Li Mingkun and Guo Mancang do the same.

Only Qi Yongfeng would occasionally call him "Brother Zhi".

At first, he wasn't used to it either, but over time he realized that Yi Dinggan had gone to great lengths.

It was intentional to maintain a certain level of mystery around him to establish his authority. This made him easier to manage.

After the train arrived at Kunming Station, Chen Jiazhi and his companion did not get off immediately, but continued onward until they reached Chenggong County before disembarking.

Then we went to Dounan Flower Market.

"It's so lively!"

"Yes, there weren't this many people last year. The Dounan Flower Market has developed very quickly."

A year later, the Dounan Flower Market looks the same, but its popularity has changed dramatically.

There was a constant stream of people buying and selling flowers.

Chen Jiazhi took Li Xiu for a walk around the flower market, which was considered their sightseeing trip.

Chen Jiazhi stopped at a stall where roses were being sold.

"Boss, give me a rose."

Li Xiu quickly stepped forward, "Jiazhi, we're leaving soon, there's no need to waste money like this."

Chen Jiazhi asked the price, paid the money to the shopkeeper, took the roses, and held them in mid-air.

"I've never sent you flowers in all these years, so I'm giving you this rose."

Li Xiu was stunned for a moment, but then stopped being coy and silently accepted the flowers, unable to hide her smile.

Chen Jiazhi then said, "Let's go to the airport."

Li Xiu followed beside her and asked, "Didn't you want to go see the flower garden?"

“It’s too late.” Chen Jiazhi pondered, “Yuanmou is not close to Kunming either, so it’s not realistic to get flower seedling orders from Kunming.”

"Oh~" Li Xiu was still admiring the rose in her hand.

Chen Jiazhi also happened to think that the seedling farm could also take orders for flower seedlings when he was inspecting Huangguayuan Town.

Unfortunately, the conditions were not right.

After leaving the flower market, Chen Jiazhi hailed a taxi and headed to the airport.

More and more people are planting flowers and vegetables on the flat land along the roadside.

He thought of the four king oysters, as well as bok choy, broccoli, and so on, all of which are suitable for planting here.

He has already considered growing Italian lettuce, in particular, in Yunnan.

However, the specific steps for implementation have not yet been determined, so there's no need to rush things.

...

Shanghai, Prosperity Village.

The 200-mu broccoli base has unveiled its small arched sheds, revealing large areas of dark green broccoli leaves. Flower heads have also formed among the leaves, with a diameter of 3 centimeters.

Temperatures in Shanghai have been rising these past two days, with occasional bright sunshine.

Starting in the morning, Ao Dehai organized dozens of workers to remove the old leaves and side branches at the bottom.

In addition, to prevent direct sunlight, the leaves closest to the flower head should be gently covered.

He had reviewed the technical essentials many times and had memorized them thoroughly. He had also repeatedly emphasized them to the team leader and workers.

At this moment, he walked among the rows, checking things from time to time and reminding the vegetable workers who were working.

"Just bend the leaves of the bulb gently, being careful not to break them or cover it too tightly."

"You need to leave space for the flower balls to grow, and you also need to keep them well-ventilated, otherwise they are prone to pests and diseases."

"Don't leave the old leaves in the field after you've finished pruning them; remove them promptly."

Because the plants were planted sparsely, it wasn't too difficult, and the progress looked good after a morning.

After checking the situation, Ao Dehai stopped next to the group leader, Luo Da.

"Old Luo, after you prune the side branches, you need to apply fertilizer and water them promptly."

"Okay," Rhoda said with a smile. "Manager, our broccoli is growing well; we should have a good harvest, right?"

Ao Dehai pondered for a moment and said, "Don't let your guard down. The boss plans to export this batch of broccoli. The Japanese have very high requirements for quality. I heard from the boss that the pass rate of broccoli in many vegetable markets is only 20%."

Our goal is to achieve at least 50%; any oversight could lead to a decline in quality.

Luo Da clicked his tongue and said, "20% is too low. What about the ones that don't meet the standards?"

Ao Dehai glanced at him and said, "Don't think too much about it. Just keep an eye on the food."

It was Ao Dehai's first time growing broccoli, and he was inevitably a little nervous.

The boss told me that if there are any slight mistakes in management, or if the environment changes and is not adjusted in time, the flower balls will turn yellow and the buds will scorch, resulting in a decline in product quality.

This made him extremely careful at all times.

Because the market's income in the first half of the year may really depend on 200 acres of broccoli.

The remaining vegetables, such as bok choy, Shanghai bok choy, and Chinese kale, have also seen some improvement, but due to different consumption habits, they are currently only able to break even.

On the way back, Ao Dehai ran into Qi Yongfeng again.

"Director Ao, is there any progress on exporting broccoli? It's not cost-effective to sell it all in the domestic market."

Ao Dehai shook his head. "I'm also waiting for news. A Japanese guy was interested before, but then he disappeared."

In addition, the headquarters has two clients in Singapore and Malaysia who may also be interested.

Qi Yongfeng said, "We might have to urge them. The boss has gone to Yunnan again. He doesn't care, but we can't. Whether we can make money this year depends entirely on this batch of broccoli."

"Okay, I'll call and ask later."

Ao Dehai also knew that this batch of broccoli carried the hopes of many people.

(End of this chapter)