Zhang Rong, 22-year-old farmer, cultivates tomatoes in the greenhouse in Zhengdabo village, Jiyang district, Jinan. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Zhang Rong, a 22-year-old farmer, never thought he would be cultivating tomatoes in the greenhouse in Zhengdabo village, Jiyang district, Jinan.

"After a year of trying different jobs and not finding the right fit, I heard about the village's plan to build high-standard, intelligent, and high-temperature greenhouses. I became very interested," Zhang explained when asked why he returned to farm in his hometown.

In addition, the government is strongly supporting agriculture, Zhang added.

Despite his lack of experience, Zhang has been learning crucial aspects of the cultivation process by studying under experienced farmers. He diligently tends to the tomatoes every day and anticipates a substantial income. "With effective management, I can earn about 400,000 yuan ($55,644.98) to 500,000 yuan in a year," Zhang said.

The tomatoes from Zhengdabo village are popular for their sweet taste and rich juice content, with prices rising from about 4 yuan per kilogram to about 14 yuan per kilogram, bringing substantial income to the villagers, said Sun Deping, Party secretary of the village.

Sun revealed that the village produces over 2 million kilograms of tomatoes annually, worth 15 million yuan. In the coming years, they plan to develop selenium-rich products, aiming to make the tomato industry a pillar industry in Jiyang district.