Sika deer breeding activates new vitality for rural revitalization

On August 14th, I walked into Xinhua Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Professional Cooperative in Laojie Village, Xiaoqiao Town, Yingshan County, Nanchong City, Sichuan Province. Rows of fruit trees were scattered on both sides of the road, and pumpkin vines were crawling on the ground. In the distance, bamboo forests stood tall, and one after another spotted deer were leisurely strolling, enjoying their food, or resting quietly. Mo Xiaodong, the secretary of the Laojie Village branch and the head of the cooperative in Xiaoqiao Town, Yingshan City, shuttled among the deer herds, carefully taking care of these "precious lumps", with an undisguised joy on his face.

Going back in time to 1989, Mo Xiaodong contracted a construction project for Shenzhen Wildlife Park and worked there for 18 years. Through long-term contact, he also learned a lot of breeding experience. In 2014, he returned to Laojie Village and after careful consideration of the local environment, he chose to raise sika deer.

In order to create a suitable growth environment for the spotted deer, Mo Xiaodong has developed and utilized 1050 acres of land over the past 11 years, providing ample space for industrial development and stable land transfer income for villagers. This has also laid a solid foundation for the subsequent "planting and breeding combination" model.

Meihua deer have a diverse diet. Except for a few plants such as straw and rice straw, most plants can be eaten. The cost of raising a deer for one year is about 2000 yuan, which is low in cost, high in profit, and full of treasures. "Mo Xiaodong introduced that the deer antler, deer blood, and other products of Meihua deer have medicinal and dietary value. After years of operation, Zhuanhe Society signed a contract with a pharmaceutical company in Suining to supply raw materials, and the self-produced deer blood wine is in short supply. It was pre ordered before the collection season. This year, the base harvested a total of 140 kilograms of deer antler and collected over 300 kilograms of deer blood, with a production value of more than 750000 yuan.

The development of Yingshan Xinhua Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Professional Cooperative has provided employment opportunities for more than 200 villagers in Laojie Village, helped more than 70 people achieve poverty alleviation, promoted common prosperity among surrounding villagers, and injected strong impetus into rural revitalization. After working at the base for so many years, my wife and I can now earn 100000 yuan a year, which is much better than working outside, "said Mo Xiaohong, a villager from Laojie Village, Xiaoqiao Town, Yingshan County, with a satisfied smile on her face as she worked.

Next, we plan to introduce the old courtyard black chicken of Wanyuan, renovate the old factory buildings, create an integrated model of agriculture and tourism, actively drive nearby villagers to work and increase income. When it comes to the future development of the cooperative, Mo Xiaodong is full of confidence. Laojie Village is activating rural vitality through the development of characteristic industries. The sound of "deer crowing" here is becoming a moving melody that drives villagers to become prosperous and empowers rural development. (Deng Chaowen, Peng Chuanheng)