Ligang Family Farm in Kenbei village, Qidong. [Photo/WeChat account: qidongfabu]

At the Ligang Family Farm in Kenbei village, Qidong, rows of vibrant green cabbages are growing in abundance. For the past decade, farm owner Cui Ligang has specialized in cultivating off-season vegetables in the village. 

Before moving to Qidong, Cui spent six years in Beijing's vegetable wholesale business. "Northern regions face cooling temperatures after October, making it difficult for vegetables to grow normally. Qidong's climate, however, is perfect for planting cabbage," he explained. Drawing on his market knowledge of vegetable varieties and demand, Cui analyzes which vegetables are in short supply and sell well. 

Buoyed by favorable vegetable prices earlier this year, Cui expanded his operations in August by leasing an additional 1,800 mu (120 hectares) of farmland in Jinping village, Nanyang town, and Hongdong village, Huiping town, bringing his total farming area to 2,800 mu, all dedicated to cabbage. 

The farm employs advanced seedling transplanting techniques, supported by two vegetable seedling greenhouses. This not only saves 200,000 yuan ($27,514.48) annually on seedling purchases but also ensures a consistent supply of high-quality seedlings, which leads to higher crop yields. 

Cui also hires professional technicians and integrates modern agricultural technologies, such as precision seeding equipment and water-fertilizer integration systems, to manage every aspect of farming—from seedling cultivation to fertilizer use, pest control, and initial processing and storage. These measures enhance the quality and flavor of his cabbages. 

Currently, one-third of his cabbages are mature, with harvesting and sales expected to peak around the beginning of 2025. Cui anticipates an average yield of 60 metric tons per mu, reflecting the success of his meticulous farming practices.