Farmers receive free mulberry saplings from government

Farmers in Jiuxu town in Jinchengjiang, Hechi, load up mulberry saplings received from local government. [Photo by Long Zhaojiang / hcwang.cn]

The government of Jiuxu town in Jinchengjiang, Hechi, recently handed out more than two million mulberry saplings free of charge to local farmers.

The saplings can be planted in an area of more than 31 hectares, benefitting 240 low income families in 25 villages.

In recent years, Jiuxu town has been striving to change its agricultural production and develop the silkworm industry to increase farmers' income.

The mulberry area of the town is estimated to exceed 733 hectares this year and the silkworm cocoon income per capita is expected to rise above 1,500 yuan ($231).

Edited by Owen Fishwick