The broccoli industry in Rudong county in Nantong, Jiangsu province has seen exponential growth in recent years, emerging as a pivotal sector bolstering the local rural economy, and Jiangsu Coastal Agriculture Development Co Ltd's Rudong branch is at the forefront of this industry.

"This year, we anticipate a yield of 2,000 kilograms per mu (666.67 square meters) of broccoli, with sales expected to reach 3.5 million yuan ($489,940)," said Shi Liang, manager of production management of the company.

In recent years, the company has made strides in independent broccoli cultivation, implementing a comprehensive green pest control strategy. This approach has resulted in a 90-percent effectiveness rate in pest and disease control, improving product quality and safety.

"Our yields have stabilized at 2,000 kilograms per mu, up from the previous 1,600 kilograms," Shi added.

To further extend the industry's value chain, the company established Jiangsu Gengyang Food Co Ltd last year. This subsidiary, equipped with a cold storage facility spanning 1,800 square meters and a storage capacity of 6,000 metric tons, facilitates staggered vegetable sales.

"Based on customer demand, we package broccoli in one or half-kilogram packs," said Yang Meizhong, deputy general manager of production in Gengyang Food. According to Yang, the company's products are now exported to Europe and the United States, with sales projected to hit 80 million yuan this year.

Looking ahead, the company plans to invest 12 million yuan next year to construct a cold storage facility and allocate 4.6 million yuan to revamp the packaging assembly line. These initiatives aim to enhance production capacity and quality.

A farmer harvests fresh broccoli. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]