The fast-growing e-commerce and express delivery industry have contributed greatly to modern agricultural development and rural revitalization in Shandong, said local authorities.

"The convenience of express delivery is one of the biggest benefits for farmers as they no longer worry about transporting fresh fruits and vegetables to bigger cities," an official said.

A villager picks tomatoes at a greenhouse in Chengzhuang village in Caoxian county, Heze, Shandong province on April 9. [Photo/IC]

Shandong is an agricultural powerhouse, with its agricultural output remaining first in the country for many years. Last year, the total value of Shandong's agricultural output exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about $154.8 billion) for the first time, hitting 1.02 trillion yuan, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

About 102 million parcels were delivered via express delivery in the province's rural areas in 2020. About 5.12 billion yuan in agricultural products were delivered, creating 77,400 jobs, official statistics showed.

Since last year, Shandong has been ramping up efforts to encourage postal and express enterprises to open branches and start services in the province's vast rural areas in a bid to support rural e-commerce development and improve the transportation of fresh farm products.

It has also launched measures to boost regional brands of agricultural products and cultivate scale farming and modern agriculture.

"The express delivery industry also offers ways to solve difficulties in selling agricultural products in remote villages, boost farmers' incomes, and advance rural revitalization," said an official.

The province will increase investment in the development of cold-chain logistics in rural areas, said local authorities.