Representatives from rural households and enterprises participate in a sweet corn eating competition at the festival on June 8. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]
The 2022 Hannan Sweet Corn Cultural Festival was held on June 8 in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ). About 4,000 hectares of sweet corn officially entered the market the same day.
Hannan district is a national sweet corn comprehensive production demonstration zone. In 2012, Hannan sweet corn was selected as a national geographical indication product, leading to Hannan district being dubbed China's sweet corn capital.
Xiao Changxi, deputy head of the Hubei Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, highlighted Hannan's abundant agricultural resources and advantageous geography, which are suitable for the production of high-quality watermelons and corn. Xiao also called for the full implementation of the national food security strategy by ensuring the effective supply of agricultural products, and the empowerment of modern agriculture via digitalization.
Zeng Silai, president of Hannan Sweet Corn Association, recalled how the district has developed nearly 100 varieties of sweet corn relying on the technical guidance of Huazhong Agricultural University and Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
During the event, renowned supermarkets, whole-sale markets and e-commerce platforms placed orders for local sweet corn worth about 100 million yuan ($14.94 million).
The annual output of Hannan sweet corn has been over 120 million yuan in recent years, bringing an average income of 16,000 yuan to each rural household in the district.
Four local banks granted credit of 150 million yuan to the Hannan Sweet Corn Association at the festival. The fund will go toward agricultural tools, facilities, logistics, and corn price stabilization.
