Straw-plaited products from Buzhuang village bring economic benefits to local farmers. [Photo/Iqilu News]

Buzhuang village in Changyi, a county-level city in Weifang, East China's Shandong province, is ramping up efforts to promote the integrated development of local industries and bolster rural revitalization.

In the past, the village was known for its silk business, and it had a lengthy time of glory as an ancient silk town. Many inhabitants preferred to migrate abroad in ancient times to promote the area's indigenous silk products, earning the place the nickname "hometown of foreign Chinese".

Buzhuang today boasts a diverse range of agricultural products as well as a sound industrial foundation. In recent years, the village has accelerated its efforts to improve brand building and operations, with the goal of assisting local specialties in expanding their global impact.

Local authorities said that in light of the diversified needs of consumers, the village has launched tailor-made services to promote the transformation and upgrading of the agricultural industry, such as providing ready-to-eat foods, which have become hot commodities as consumers embrace the shorter meal-preparation times and enhanced convenience.

"Our products are of high quality and have low prices, and are easy to be bought in big and small cities in China. The processing of foods has greatly increased the added value of agricultural products," said Zhang Deqing, general manager of Weifang Jiahe Food Company.

Blessed with rich agricultural resources, the village has launched a slew of cultural and rural tourism routes that feature road trips, sightseeing and homestays, and are meant to tap into local cultural and agricultural resources and boost economic growth.

Efforts have also been made to promote the village's own brand "Excellent products from hometown of overseas Chinese" via online and offline channels.

"The establishment of the brand has facilitated the rapid rise of new business forms such as rural tourism, rural e-commerce, and e-commerce livestreaming, and it has also promoted the transformation and upgrading of the agricultural sector, bringing in win-win results and common development," said Ma Zijun, Party chief of Buzhuang village.