At the Konjac Industry-University-Research Innovation Center, smart agricultural equipment is handling the daily field operations seamlessly. "We can now remotely manage Konjac fields and control everything via the cloud—no need to step outdoors," said Yin Hongyuan, founder of the park and former Vice President of China's e-commerce giant JD.com.
Smart agricultural equipment is handling the daily field operations seamlessly. Photo by 清远发布
Konjac is a plant associated with various health benefits. It is primarily cultivated in China, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Notably, the largest commercial Konjac plantation of China is located in Fogang County, which is a rapidly developing area of Qingyuan City, strategically positioned near Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.
Shuhitou Town, photo by 清远日报
Shuitou Town was once Fogang's smallest town in terms of land area and population. It has long struggled with a weak industrial base, outdated infrastructure, and stagnant rural incomes. However, in 2021, the county launched the Konjac Industrial Park project. Tens of hectares of barren land were leased for cultivation. Thanks to its hilly slopes, which provide natural drainage, and loamy soil rich in organic matter with good permeability, the area serves as an ideal site for konjac cultivation.
Shuitou Konjac Industry-University-Research (IUR) Innovation Center
Yin and his team led the park's development. Starting with land consolidation, they built China's largest commercial konjac plantation, pioneering an industrial approach to agriculture. The park manages raw materials, research and development (R&D), and branding, while outsourcing processing to third-party enterprises. This initiative ensures that farmers receive the maximum share of the profits.
Photo by 清远发布
Crucially, the team leveraged university resources by investing over 10 million yuan to transform idle school facilities into the Shuitou Konjac Industry-University-Research (IUR) Innovation Center. It integrates scientific research, education, training, brand development, and industrial incubation.
Partnering with top universities, including Hunan Agricultural University, South China Agricultural University, and Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, the center features doctoral research stations, laboratories, digital exhibition halls, and R&D facilities. Leveraging 5G and IoT technologies, it has drastically boosted production efficiency.
With these technologies, Fogang's konjac industry has grown rapidly since 2021, providing employment to over 3,000 people and increasing farmers' incomes by 5.6 million yuan. The industry is delivering tangible benefits to the town and its residents.
Photo by 佛冈融媒
Reporter| Zhou Jiyin
Editor| Yin Juewen