鈥楪rape king鈥 fosters new varieties and shares prowess with farmers
Print Edition
As the peak of grape harvesting unfolds in Shanghai鈥檚 suburbs, the Shiquan Grape Cooperative in Jinshan District is abuzz with activity. Workers scurry through sunlit rows, sorting and packing the day鈥檚 fresh harvest, with the spotlight on this year鈥檚 sensational newcomer 鈥 Shenxin.
Developed in collaboration with the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenxin offers a delicate rose aroma lingering even after the fruit鈥檚 sweetness fades, said Lu Yujin, the cooperative leader.
鈥淎lthough it鈥檚 only recently been introduced, it has quickly become a customer favorite,鈥 he said.
Lu founded Shiquan in 2001. Spanning roughly 200,000 square meters, equivalent to about 28 soccer fields, it serves both as a major grape production site and a hub for developing new grape varieties.
With the vineyard his home and the grapes his business, Lu has devoted himself to fostering new varieties and researching cultivation. He monitored greenhouse temperatures and measured the grape sugar content, harvesting data with each bunch.
Lu said that local grape varieties now make up 60 percent of the cooperative鈥檚 production, significantly outpacing the popularity of imported varieties. With more than 20 top-selling grape varieties in China originating from Shiquan, Lu has earned the title of 鈥済rape king.鈥
In addition to the grapes available for sale, the vineyard is testing six new varieties.
Lu lives by the proverb: 鈥淎 single flower does not make spring.鈥
For years, he has selflessly shared his cultivation techniques with other farmers by offering training sessions and instructions in the fields.
Also nicknamed 鈥渢he grape doctor,鈥 Lu helps farmers diagnose growth issues. Whether by phone or a home visit, he never minds any inconvenience and patiently offers guidance. So far, more than 1,000 farms have reaped the benefits of his advice, making more than 80 million yuan (US$11 million).
Lu鈥檚 public service has extended beyond just neighboring farms.
In 2021, with Shiquan as its home base and Lu in charge, the Jinshan Grape Industrialization Consortium was formed, helping other vineyards in the district achieve the Shiquan standard of grapes and business practices.
Two years later, six vineyards in the consortium were able to sell grapes to Alibaba鈥檚 supermarket chain Freshippo, making more than 7 million yuan.
Lu also cares about sustainable agricultural development. As a city lawmaker, he has called for favorable policies to encourage young people in front-line agriculture and give farmers a safety net, so they could invest in the future, as well as promote sustainable, mindful production practices.
鈥淟ike our children, who we hope can spread their wings one day,鈥 Lu said, 鈥渨e鈥檙e always rethinking our growing techniques and hoping each grape can shine.鈥
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