Village reaps benefits of millet harvest through collective effort

Farmers harvest millet in Laoguanzhuang village of Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo by Yu Yongben/for chinadaily.com.cn]

During the harvest season in Laoguanzhuang village of Yantai, Shandong province, farmers have joined hands to gather millet the traditional way with sickles, due to the mountainous terrain being unsuitable for machinery.

On the threshing ground, threshers swiftly separate golden grains from husks and straw. The rhythmic process reflects time-honored practices.

The village has cultivated millet for over 500 years. In recent years, it established a millet cooperative to boost its collective economy and raise household incomes.

By integrating resources under the cooperative, the village has enhanced product quality and market competitiveness, allowing the specialty grain to reach broader markets while preserving agricultural heritage.