It is midsummer, and all things are flourishing. In the fields of Chongming, paddy rice is thriving. In the pond, the crab grows quite large. In the orchard, the Cuiguan pear is enjoying a bountiful harvest. In this hot and busy season, Chongming's agricultural development is accelerating into the fast lane. As the largest rural area in Shanghai, Chongming has adhered to the high-tech, quality, and value-added development of modern green agriculture as its gilded signboard.

Good Environment Brings Good Products

The natural environment along the river and the sea, the ecological base of clean water and air, the mild and humid climate, and the rich organic soil resources offer Chonging unique conditions for the development of green agriculture. As the "rice bag" and the "vegetable basket" of Shanghai, Chongming occupies 1/5 of the city's land area and contributes one-third of the city’s total farm produce.

The good water mixed with fresh water and seawater nourishes clear water crabs, and the weakly alkaline sandy soil is suitable for the growth of rhizome crops such as crispy taro. It is precisely because of the unique soil, water, forest, and air that unique agricultural products grow in Chongming. At present, this treasure land has won 8 geographical indication certification trademarks such as "Chongming white lentils", "Chongming crispy taro", and "Chongming golden melon", as well as 4 agricultural product geographical indications such as "Chongming white goat" and "Chongming Shawutou pig".

The "Chongming Good Things" certified by local gourmands have frequently won awards. This year, at the 22nd China Green Food Expo and the 15th China International Organic Food Expo, the Chongming Exhibition Group returned with honor, and the products of four enterprises and cooperatives were listed.

A good environment comes from daily care, and the Chongming mode of green control protects crop growth. In recent years, Chongming has vigorously promoted agricultural standardization and information technology construction, comprehensively promoted green production methods, and achieved full traceability of local farm produce. The certification rate of green food areas is over 90%, and the yield certification rate is over 40%. The agricultural green development index is among the top in the country. Chongming has established a sound input control system that integrates green pesticide procurement, distribution, and packaging waste recycling, achieving 100% recycling of pesticide packaging waste.

Improve Germplasm Resources, the Agricultural "Chips"

Germplasm resources are the core technology of agriculture. Currently, Chongming is strengthening the protection, development, and utilization of germplasm resources on rice, crab, sheep, pig, vegetable, and flower, and accelerating the cultivation of labeled quality varieties with independent intellectual property rights.

This spring, a special planting event was held at Shanghai Fanxin Agricultural Planting Cooperative. Dozens of Chongming red-skinned potatoes and crispy taro were planted in different categories into the soil, laying a solid foundation for the breeding and preservation of high-quality seed sources. In the relevant laboratories, vegetables are no longer bred in the soil, but placed in bottles and jars on shelves. Each culture bottle is labeled with a date and number, and experiments are continuously conducted through the application of tissue culture technology, precise control of temperature, humidity, light, and other conditions. From fields to laboratories, the germplasm resources, the agricultural "chips", have been carefully cultivated and improved.

In collaboration with relevant research institutions, Chongming strives to explore a new path for the development of the seed industry that combines industry, academia, and research, and integrates breeding and promotion. Currently, Chongming is collecting and preserving local featured flower germplasms such as narcissus and gladiolus, breeding and forming quality strains and promoting seed ball breeding. At the same time, it has carried out planting and breeding of featured vegetable germplasm resources. Currently, 358 germplasm resources have been collected and a germplasm resource map has been compiled.

Taking clear water crab as an example, "Chongming No. 1 Crab" is a high-quality river crab variety developed through continuous deepening cooperation with Shanghai Ocean University based on "Jianghai No. 21 Crab". The new crab features long legs, faster growth, higher yield, and larger size compared to other crab seedlings. Each "Chongming No. 1 Crab" has identity authentication as the Wang Chenghui team from Shanghai Ocean University has established a fast genetic marker detection technology and conducted basic testing on crab seedlings. “Gene technology allows us to select the best ones, screen parents, and cultivate higher quality germplasm resources," said a researcher.

Concentrate on Advantageous Resources to Build a Strong Brand

On the path of agricultural development, Chongming has never lacked brave pioneers. But in the face of market trends, individuals have their limitations, and working together is a good choice for adapting to the trends. In recent years, individuals growing river crab, rice, vegetables, and white goats have established group companies, collaborating for mutual benefits. The three islands of Chongming are joining hands to promote the regional public brand of "The Three Yoon Brothers", making good use of the geographical indication of Chongming farm produce, achieving unified production standards, identification authorization, packaging style, and brand promotion.

It is worth mentioning that various industries have established relevant associations to ensure the sustainable and healthy development of the industry by formulating standards. For example, Chongming Rice Group has worked out and strictly followed the Chongming rice standards for production and selected high-quality varieties such as "Chongshang 2022" and "Nanjing 46" for order-based planting. The "Technical Regulations for Green Production of Chongming Clear Water Crab" regulate the environmental conditions, facilities and equipment, production management, and water discharge requirements for aquaculture. With a unified process and standard, the recognition of Chongming farm produce has been further enhanced.

“We can only go further by working together and helping each other," said Huang Chun, chairman of Chongming River Crab Group. “Now is a good time for us to work together," said Song Yongjiu, a shareholder of Chongming Rice Industry Group Co., Ltd., who is also full of confidence. For local farmers like Huang Chun and Song Yongjiu, it is a responsibility to produce good agricultural products. “We are duty-bound to promote the Chongming brand. With the help of everyone, we can achieve success. This time, we have joined hands to grow bigger and stronger.”

The branding benefits have gradually emerged. It is learned that Chongming's high-quality farm produce has a premium rate of over 20% on mainstream e-commerce platforms such as Hema Fresh and Dingdong Maicai, as the agriculture plus new retail mode continues to make breakthroughs. Next, leading enterprises in Chongming will fully leverage the advantages and influence of professional platforms, empower Chongming's distinctive farm produce to continue to excel, further deepen the brand connotation, and meet the diverse consumer needs of the general public, who can buy with confidence and have access to safe food," said the relevant person in charge of the District Agriculture and Rural Committee.