"President Xi told us to build our brand of selenium-rich vegetables. Today, our selenium-enriched towel gourds sell well at a good price," said Xiao Guihua, first secretary to Tantou Village in Yudu County, East China's Jiangxi Province.

President Xi Jinping visits an industrial park for selenium-rich vegetables in Yudu County during an inspection tour of East China's Jiangxi Province, May 20, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

During an inspection tour to the old revolutionary base area in Jiangxi Province in May 2019, President Xi visited an industrial park specializing in planting selenium-rich vegetables in Yudu County. Xiao was inspired by President Xi's words.

Selenium is an essential trace element recognized for wide-ranging effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

"President Xi cares about villagers' livelihood and income"

Xiao has served as the first Communist Party of China (CPC) secretary to the village of Tantou since February 2017.

Farmers in Tantou have started to grow chilies and towel gourds. 

"We provide free and high-quality seedlings to the farmers who joined our agricultural cooperatives," Xiao said.

"The cooperatives will buy the vegetables that farmers grow at a minimum support price. The farmers can also sell their vegetables by themselves."

Tantou has developed industries by building plantation bases of selerium-enriched grapes, passion fruit, rice and other vegetables.

As of today, the entire village has officially shaken off extreme poverty.

When President Xi visited Tantou last year, villagers told him their stories of getting rich after growing selenium-rich vegetables and developing industries.

President Xi Jinping talks with a villager at an industrial park for selenium-rich vegetables in Yudu County during an inspection tour of East China's Jiangxi Province, May 20, 2019.

"President Xi cared about our living standards and incomes," Xiao Guihua said.

Xiao said she was determined to build the selenium food industry into a large and influential brand and to make the industry benefit the village.

Cooperatives help villagers escape poverty

The industrial park that President Xi visited has developed a model in which leading enterprises, agricultural cooperatives, farmers and low-income families are linked, paving the way for alleviating poverty.

"President Xi was pleased after learning about our model," said Shi Changguo, then manager of the industrial park who introduced its development model to President Xi.

A farmer picks eggplant at a selenium-rich vegetable base in Yudu County, East China's Jiangxi Province, Dec. 18, 2019. 

Tantou’s first agricultural cooperative was set up in 2017, with the aim of developing agriculture and building a selenium food brand. 

Not all villagers immediately welcomed it.

Liu Yangfu was an impoverished villager. 

"I was worried that renting out my land would deprive me of my source of income," Liu said.

Xiao Guihua explained the support policies to Liu and reassured him. Liu was happy when he received the rent and bonus from the cooperative.

Like Liu, 109 poor households in the village have all joined the cooperative.

Leading companies came to Tantou with seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and technical support. 

The cooperatives help connect companies and farmers. Officials like Xiao also support farmers.

Rural tourism 

"President Xi checked the appearance of our village and learned about renovation of old houses and environmental conservation," said Liu Lianyun, Tantou CPC chief.

Tantou has renovated its roads and built a new square for leisure activities. The improved appearance and selenium food tempted some tourists to Tantou. 

Tourism has grown more popular in the village.

Tourists visit the selenium-rich vegetable industrial park in Yudu County, East China's Jiangxi Province, Oct. 21, 2017. 

Tantou set up a tourism cooperative in July 2019 and more than 160 households joined. 

Tourists pick selenium-rich vegetables, try farmhouse dishes and experience rural homestays.

The village has also opened specialty food stores, selling selenium-enriched agricultural products. 

"Just half a year since the tourism cooperative began operation, the revenue has reached 800,000 yuan (US$115,000). We received thousands of visitors every day in the first few months," Xiao Guihua said.

According to Xiao, 50 percent of cooperative revenue is paid to shareholders as dividends, 30 percent is used to manage the cooperative and the remaining 20 percent serves as the collective income of the village.

"The vegetable industry in Tantou has become stronger, enabling us to run specialty stores and develop rural tourism. Just as President Xi said in his tour, life has got better like sesame in bloom," said Xiao.

(Translated by Liu Xiaochi, edited by Yang Yang)