In the remote mountain village of Jianglingshang, nestled in Chun’an County, Hangzhou, a remarkable transformation has unfolded over the past eight years. What was once a story of hardship—elderly farmers toiling tirelessly only to sell their large potatoes at meager prices of about 1 yuan per jin (0.5 kg), often unable to transport their harvest due to the village’s isolation—has turned into a tale of hope and prosperity. The turning point came in 2018 when Yang Caihong, general manager of Hangzhou Qiandaohu Lingshang Huakai Agricultural Technology Co., introduced new small-potato varieties and offered a guaranteed purchase price of 3 yuan per jin, a full yuan above the market rate. In the first year, only 2,000 jin (1,000 kg) were collected, but as trust grew, so did participation. Today, over 80% of the 800 resident households in Jinfeng Township grow potatoes for income, with this year’s projected harvest exceeding 100,000 jin (50,000 kg). The village now hosts regular door-to-door purchases, with party volunteers assisting elderly farmers in digging, sorting, bagging, and loading—ensuring that even the oldest residents can turn their harvest into cash without leaving their homes.
Beyond guaranteed procurement, the company is advancing to a second phase: building a clean-vegetable processing plant in Jinfeng Township and establishing a demonstration agricultural park in Jinxi Village to trial new varieties before promoting them. These efforts aim to move from simply “selling produce” to “selling better and creating greater value,” while local authorities are deepening partnerships with catering businesses to expand market channels. The humble high-mountain potato, once a source of anxiety, has become a reliable pillar of shared prosperity—proving that with the right support, even the smallest crop can carve a path out of poverty and into lasting abundance. As the rain stopped outside the pavilion, so too did the villagers’ old worries, replaced by a steady confidence in their land and future.
