This Day, That Year: Minks are making a mint for farmers

Item from Aug 12, 1990, in China Daily: Millions of farmers are turning to mink breeding in the race to make money. ...

The farmers' enthusiasm for mink breeding was sparked when they realized that their income could reach almost 2,000 yuan a year by engaging in the business.

China is speeding up the transformation of its agriculture development model from "traditional" to "modern" in an effort to guarantee food supplies and farmers' incomes.

Following the launch of agricultural reforms in the 1980s and the development of international trade later, Chinese farmers are enjoying more ways of making money than before.

In Yunnan province, which is known as China's botanic garden, mushroom exports have become a major source of income for farmers.

The province sells some 300 metric tons of mushrooms to domestic and overseas markets every day.

In Karamay, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, sturgeon breeding is attracting a lot of investor interest.

Lvcheng Agriculture Co, based in Karamay, has already invested 20 million yuan ($3 million) in a sturgeon greenhouse breeding base in the city. It is expected to bring in 7.5 million yuan in annual revenue.

Farmers are also looking at selling their produce via e-commerce platforms nationwide.