Oat production helps Wuchuan get out of poverty

An aerial view of planting area in Wuchun county in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region [Photo/IC]

Wuchuan county, a formerly barren area of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has been lifted out of poverty by developing its oat industry, according to a People's Daily report.

“Oat has gradually become a calling card of the county since 2015 and helped lift us out of poverty,” said Zhang Haitao, deputy governor of Wuchuan county.

Yangufang Ecological Agriculture Development (Group) Co Ltd, set up operationsin Wuchuan county in 2012, becoming a major force in promoting oat production with efforts in expanding production bases, improving planting technologies, and strengthening marketing efforts.

Yangufang worked with growers to adjust their planting based on the market demand. As a result, oat growers do not need to worry about cultivation methods and technologies, as well as sales performance.

As of 2018, Yangufang has cooperated with 3,580 growers, increasing the planting area five times more than the number in 2015.

The company helps poverty-stricken growers to harvest oat and offers them subsidies for harvesting and transportation. It also purchases oats from growers at a protected price, effectively securing the interests of local growers.

Yangufang has also expanded sales through online transactions and direct-sale stores.

An oat industry park, with an investment of 180 million yuan ($26.57 million), is now under construction and will be a key platform for the further development and poverty alleviation of the county.