“Second Generation of Gourd Entrepreneurs” Forge New Paths in Dongchangfu, Liaocheng

LIAOCHENG, China, Sept. 10, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

Gourd vines climb the trellises, heavy with clusters of green gourds. In Luzhuang Village, Dongchangfu District, hailed as “China’s No. 1 Gourd Village,” a vibrant scene of abundance is taking shape.

At 35, Hao Hongle became the village’s first university graduate to return home and launch a business. In 2014, after meticulous market research, he spotted the rising potential of “Tianjinzui” gourds, a variety beloved by collectors, with top-grade specimens fetching hundreds of yuan each. Though technically demanding, Hao persevered — experimenting with seed purification, improving soil fertility, refining irrigation, and precisely controlling light exposure. His dedication paid off: today, his 6-mu “Tianjinzui” gourd demonstration field achieves extraordinary quality yields, generating over 100,000 yuan per mu, a tenfold increase over traditional methods.

The momentum grew when 26-year-old Hao Xuekun’s viral college-era video showcasing “Luzhuang’s gourd market” inspired his 2021 post-graduation return. With a keen understanding of gourd culture, he quickly built a strong online presence on Kuaishou, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu, amassing 300,000+ followers and generating annual sales of 700,000-800,000 yuan. Now, 35 university-educated locals have followed suit, innovating across cultivation, e-commerce livestreaming, and carved artwork. These “new generation of gourd entrepreneurs” are reshaping the entire value chain of planting, processing, and marketing.

“Building on our industrial strengths, we aim to elevate gourd production toward high-end, artisanal development, creating a benchmark development zone,” stated Duan Xianfeng, party secretary of Tangyi Town, Dongchangfu District. This youth-powered “Path of Fortune” now winds through fertile fields, creative workshops, and bustling digital platforms, steadfastly advancing toward a vibrant future for rural revitalization.

Source: Information Office of Dongchangfu District, Liaocheng City