In recent years, the strawberry industry in Licheng district, Jinan has expanded significantly, becoming a key pillar of local development.

As the largest winter greenhouse strawberry cultivation area in Shandong province, the district currently boasts over 1,800 hectares dedicated to strawberry farming, including 52 specialized villages.

To boost the quality of its strawberries, Licheng district has stepped up efforts to attract talent and technology, fostering collaboration with domestic and international strawberry research institutions. This has driven advancements in variety improvement, seedling cultivation methods, and management techniques.

As strawberry cultivation progresses, the district is leveraging the industry to drive the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. Efforts include developing strawberry-based food processing and promoting strawberry-picking tourism experiences.

After expanding operations, more than 50,000 kilograms of strawberries in the region are packaged daily during peak seasons and distributed nationwide to supermarkets and online platforms, meeting consumer demand.

The booming industry has provided locals with job opportunities and convinced more college graduates to return to their hometown for work. "Since locals began growing strawberries, their incomes have steadily increased," said Zhao Huanying, first secretary stationed in the district's Wangxin village.