Travel & Culture
Urban farming allows residents to experience joy of countryside
As recent COVID-19 flare-up in China prevents people from traveling outside the city during the five-day May Day holiday, some residents in the southwestern province of Sichuan are experiencing life in the countryside at urban parks.
May is the season for mulberries in the country, but harvest is inside a park in the provincial capital Chengdu.
Why mulberries? Sichuan is one of the cradles of silk culture. Silk from Chengdu became famous nationwide as early as 2,000 years ago, and mulberry leaves are the main food for silkworms.
Today the mulberry grove inside the ecological park has become a place for parents to bring their children to learn about workers’ contributions to the country, as well as history during the holiday. No pesticides are used here, so children can taste the fruit right off the tree.
An aerial view of the ecological park in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. /CGTN
A fourth-grade pupil was sharing his experience in picking mulberries and silkworm breeding. He said mulberries should be picked when they are soft and purple, which are absolutely delicious. Each silkworm can eat three or four mulberry leaves a day, and the insect is dependent on the growth of mulberry trees, he added.
A college student came here with her family. She told CGTN that she always helped her grandmother in harvesting vegetables, and this kind of agricultural activity relaxes her.
Other than harvesting in the city park, residents can also rent a plot of land in the park to plant crops and vegetables. To ensure a good harvest, the field is taken care of by professionals.
Apart from allowing citizens to experience life on the farm, urban agriculture can also benefit the environment and provide food supplies to the city.
This ecological park covers 133 square kilometers, half of which belongs to the farmland protection area. At present, crops have been planted on 8,000 acres, most of them grain and oil crops.
The Chengdu Plain belongs to the country’s double-cropping region. This means after wheat is harvested early summer, rice will be planted in the same fields. At that time, the rice paddies can cool the city and reduce dust, just like a river flowing through the city.
Source: By Guo Tianqi, CGTN
Maldivians must always advocate for rights of Palestinians: Minister Haidar
BML announce new MVR 1-mil loan facility without collateral
Maldives sweeps WTAs with four titles in Indian Ocean category
Gaza truce uncertain, Hamas to deliver ‘final response’ in two days
MWSC contracted to upgrade Addu City’s water view
MIB signs an agreement to expedite business registration process
Freedom of journalism must be practiced within the responsibilities
Elections Commission grants approval to form Maldives Solidarity Party.
Parliament’s 06th May Terror Attack Report Highlights Defence Minister Mariya Ali Didi’s Negligence.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed revokes support for the current administration in an open letter.
Leaked documents show India refused to withdraw military personnel and helicopters from the Maldives even after their Visa’s expired.
Hiyaa flats- pigeon coops, negative stereotyping and lobbying.
President Abdulla Yameen officially calls for the removal of Indian military personnel in the Maldives.
Contact with 20 Maldivian student pilots stranded in Philippines lost as super typhoon Rai slams the nation.
-
News6 days agoMinister states only 1% of 8% plastic waste is recycled
-
Sports6 days agoAhead of Paris duel: Sancho on bumpy road to his top level
-
News6 days agoUnauthorised domain holders to be offered legal compliance
-
World6 days agoUN chief calls for Israel-Hamas accord, int’l probe of mass graves in Gaza
-
Sports6 days agoAsian Carrom Championship: silver for men, bronze for women
-
News6 days agoGovernmenr condemns threats against media; vows to protect journalists
-
News6 days agoPresident: Solely increasing salaries not a solution, employees require education and training
-
News7 days agoInvestor confidence boosted with election win: Minister Saeed