Kaiyang drives rural vitalization through agriculture

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Kaiyang county has focused on the overarching goals of the rural vitalization strategy, promoting comprehensive rural vitalization and the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

In 2024, the total output value of Kaiyang's agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery sectors reached 8.11 billion yuan ($1.15 billion). In the first three quarters of 2025, this figure is expected to reach 5.88 billion yuan. In 2024, the per capita disposable income of rural residents in Kaiyang was 24,487 yuan, and in the first half of 2025, the per capita disposable income of rural permanent residents was 11,648 yuan.

Villagers in Kaiyang county collect mushrooms. [Photo/WeChat account of Kaiyang county]

In 2025, Kaiyang is expected to complete a grain sowing area of 557,930 mu (37,195 hectares), with a production of 130,790 metric tons. The county is also strengthening farmland protection and infrastructure development, reclaiming 1,900 mu of fallow land and building 81,800 mu of high-standard farmland.

In 2025, the selenium-rich tea plantation area in Kaiyang is expected to reach 68,600 mu, with a tea production of 2,865 tons. Fruit cultivation is expected to cover 222,300 mu, yielding 119,300 tons, while vegetable cultivation is projected to span 410,000 mu, producing 672,700 tons.

Villagers in Kaiyang county collect chili peppers. [Photo/WeChat account of Kaiyang county]

To date, Kaiyang has completed the renovation of 24,500 sanitary toilets, improved 3,800 livable rural houses, and renovated 430 dilapidated houses. The treatment rate of rural domestic sewage has significantly increased from 13.4 percent to 66.67 percent, and a comprehensive waste collection and disposal system has been established.