Maoming chili industry boosts rural vitalization efforts

Maoming has been developing its chili industry through the "cooperative + enterprise + base + farmers" development model, catering its development according to local conditions to boost its rural vitalization efforts.

With an average annual temperature of 24C, Maoming has an advantage in growing chili peppers. The chili pepper planting area in Maonan district is 50,000 mu (3,333 hectares), of which 0.7 million mu is in Jintang. The Maonan agricultural and rural bureau has been supporting the development of the chili industry through measures like providing technical support for planting technology and pest control for the planted chili.

Maonan's chili has thin skin and thick flesh, moderate spiciness, as well as good taste. In addition to being exported to Beijing, Hunan, Guangxi, and other places, it began to be exported to Malaysia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, and other regions five years ago, with an annual export volume of 500,000 metric tons.

Maonan district has 22 agricultural products cold storage and preservation facilities, supported by 3.02 million yuan in central funding support. It will continue to seek policy support so that more cold storage projects will settle in Maonan, thus boosting agricultural efficiency and increasing local farmers' incomes.

Farmers pack chili in Maonan district, Maoming. [Photo/Maoming Daily]