Grape production in Dongguan welcomes a bumper harvest and “connects” with new agricultural and tourism industries

Currently, it is midsummer and Dongguan grapes are entering a concentrated ripening period, with major vineyards experiencing a peak picking season. In recent days, the reporter visited the vineyards in Dongcheng, Gaobu and other towns and streets in Dongguan and found that Dongguan grapes follow the path of characteristic fruit development, build picking gardens on a small scale, and drive the development of orchards, increase farmers’ income, and promote the development of Hobby farm and rural tourism by providing convenient leisure picking services.

Mr. Zhou, the planter of Xinguoyuan Ecological Vineyard, is a “post-80s”. Six years ago, he transformed from hardware industry to Plantation. Now, he has rented about 20 mu plots of summer grapes and winter strawberries in Dongguan Tongsha Ecological Park. The main varieties of Mr. Zhou’s vineyard are Shine Muscat and Kyoho. Usually, there are many tourists and citizens coming to Tongsha Ecological Garden. The plantation can be said to have its own flow. “This year’s output is OK. The output of Shine Muscat is 1250-1500 kg per mu, and the output of Kyoho grapes is about 750 kg per mu.” Mr. Zhou said that the first batch of grapes has been ripe and listed, attracting many citizens and tourists to pick them. Mr. Zhou said that in the future, he will also improve the aroma and sweetness of grapes by strengthening techniques such as flower and fruit protection, precise fertilization, and scientific medication.

Mr. Ding, a grower of the Grape Shuangshuang Ecological Agricultural Garden, also tasted the “sweet and fragrant” grapes. His vineyard is located in Gaobu Town, Dongguan, and is dominated by Shine Muscat and Xiahei. There are six batches of grapes in the first season of this year. At present, the first batch of 4000 kilograms has been sold out. “Shine Muscat is the best seller.” With more than 40 years of planting experience, Mr. Ding happily told reporters that this year, in addition to Shine Muscat, Jufeng and Xiahei have also enjoyed bumper harvests.

The reporter learned that the grape planting area in Dongguan this year is about 747 acres, with a yield of over 1000 tons. Behind the development of the “sweet economy” is not only the drive of the market and the love of growers, but also the guidance and cultivation of relevant departments. In 2013, Dongguan Agricultural science Research Center established a grape research team to carry out grape selection and breeding, cultivation technology research, demonstration and promotion, etc. At present, more than 100 grape varieties have been introduced and 34 high-quality varieties have been selected for promotion in Dongguan, making nearly 2000 farmers rich and becoming a new growth point for urban leisure picking agriculture in Dongguan.

Fan Yan, a researcher of Dongguan Agricultural science Center, said that due to industrial structure and shortage of land resources and other reasons, Dongguan could not carry out large-scale planting and could only take the path of developing characteristic fruits. Planting enterprises (large households) must first clarify the nature of the land before planting, and then provide leisure picking services to citizens through small-scale investment, building greenhouses, and opening up picking routes to drive the development of orchards and achieve income growth and prosperity.