Two men check out the growth of Heitacai cabbages in Dongwang village, Rugao. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

More than 36 hectares of Heitacai cabbages in Dongwang village, Rugao, ushered in the harvest season Dec 17, local media reported.

The output is expected to reach 9 tons per hectare, generating 750,000 yuan ($108,675) in income, according to Yin Guolan, the village Party chief .

The village, located in a remote area of Rugao and home to more than 2,800 residents in 756 households, was rated by the Jiangsu government as being weak in economic development for entirely relying on traditional agricultural production, without any industrial projects.

The village decided to grow the cabbage early this year in light of the Rugao government's offer of financial support to promote the large-scale planting of the unique species of the Chinese cabbage that is grown only in Rugao. 

The village worked with a local agricultural company, which provided high-quality seeds, technological support in planting and sales channels.

Before then, a slew of efforts had been made to increase villagers' incomes, mainly through collecting land for large-scale plantation and building poverty-alleviation factories involving textiles and construction materials.

Since 2018, the village has created local jobs for more than 80 villagers.

"I earned nearly 20,000 yuan annually by working in a clothing factory, excluding income from leasing land," said Tian Mei, a 58-year-old villager.

"My living standard has improved and I'm very grateful for the efforts of the village committee."