Forest-raised Tibetan pigs drive rural growth in Yongwen town

In Shuanghe village, Yongwen town, Kaiyang county, Tibetan pigs roam freely through forested hills, foraging in a natural environment.

Native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibetan pigs are small, hardy, and well adapted to the outdoors. Known for their high nutritional value, their meat sells for 80-90 yuan ($11-$12.5) per kilogram and is in high demand.

Tibetan pigs are braised in forests in Yongwen town. [Photo/WeChat account of Kaiyang county]

Zou Hao, head of Kaiyang Shanshui Tianyuan Agriculture Development Co, introduced the breed in 2016. He now operates three breeding bases with over 1,800 pigs. Last year, sales of over 700 pigs brought in more than 1.5 million yuan.

Using a "company + farmers + village party branch" model, Zou has helped boost local incomes and build a 2,000-mu forest-based farming zone in Shuanghe.

The farm combines free-range and pen-raising methods, with controlled breeding to improve survival rates. Zou plans to expand the eco-friendly model to benefit more rural families.