Green Chinese onion planting has become a pillar industry in Zhangqiu district, East China's Shandong province, helping farmers increase their incomes and promoting local economic development.

The planting of green Chinese onions in Zhangqiu enjoys a long history which can be date back to 2,600 years ago.

The total plantation area for green onions in the district has reached 120,000 mu (8,000 hectares) in 2020, with an annual output of 600 million kilograms of onions worth more than 700 million yuan ($102.16 million).

In 2020, the brand value of the Zhangqiu green Chinese onion crop was estimated at 5.24 billion yuan, according to the district government.

Chinese onions planted in the area are famous for being tall, crisp and sweet. They are also rich in zinc, phosphorus, iron, selenium and other minerals and vitamins, and have high health and medicinal value.

In December 2018, Zhangqiu green onions won the gold medal at the 12th China Green Food Expo and have become an important local agricultural brand.

The local government has made great efforts to promote the development of green Chinese onion planting by building cultivation bases for improved varieties, strictly adhering to production standards, and attracting experts.

More efforts have been made to improve planting techniques as well. Mechanized planting has greatly improved production efficiency, lowered production costs and increased the incomes of farmers.

Farmers harvest green Chinese onions in Zhangqiu, a district of Jinan in East China's Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Song Jinbao (left) from Wangjin village in Zhangqiu, a district of Jinan in East China's Shandong province, harvested the tallest green Chinese onion, which stood at 2.44 meters. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]