An aerial view of Luyuan village in Nishan town of Qufu, Shandong province. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Shandong province, a major agricultural powerhouse in China, is taking a leading role in implementing the country's rural vitalization strategy. With a firm commitment to ensuring food security and promoting rural development, Shandong is on track to achieve remarkable progress in this crucial area.

Ensuring food security

In 2023, Shandong's total grain output reached a record high of 56.5 billion kilograms, a year-on-year increase of 1.11 billion kilograms. This remarkable achievement, accounting for 12.6 percent of the national increase, demonstrates Shandong's effectiveness in ensuring food security.

Diversifying food supply

To further enhance food supply resilience and build a diversified food supply system, Shandong will continue to tap into the potential of various sectors, including facility agriculture, animal husbandry, marine aquaculture, and saline-alkali land development this year.

Promoting characteristic industries

Cities in Shandong are actively exploring development paths based on their local agricultural and rural resources. In Guanxian county of Liaocheng, for example, the cultivation of Lingzhi mushrooms in greenhouses is flourishing, with over 10,000 greenhouses and an annual output value of 2.5 billion yuan ($340 million). This thriving industry has created numerous employment and income opportunities for local farmers.

Shandong is vigorously developing digital agriculture, leisure agriculture, and creative agriculture, as well as cultivating scenic villages to boost rural tourism. In 2023, the per capita disposable income of rural residents in Shandong reached 23,776 yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.5 percent.

Building demonstration areas

By integrating local practices, Shandong is building rural vitalization demonstration areas to improve the living conditions of villagers. In Linyi's Linshu county, a rural vitalization demonstration area has been established, featuring cultural tourism attractions, entrepreneurial spaces, and well-equipped public facilities, transforming impoverished villages into livable and prosperous communities.

Shandong will continue to prioritize food security and the development of rural industries. By enhancing the construction of beautiful and livable villages and improving rural governance, Shandong is poised to become a model for rural vitalization in China.