Wunan village, administered by Huantai county – located in Zibo city, in East China's Shandong province – is experiencing a resurgence in its courtyard economy and in the craft of weaving in particular, taking locals along the path to prosperity.
Wunan has a population of over 2,000 residents, of whom some 500 are rated as vulnerable residents. In 2020, village committee director Wei Maifang looked into the craft of fruit bag weaving – which has a low-difficulty level of production, unlimited time and no requirements for manufacturing premises.
"Through weaving, I can earn 6,000-7,000 yuan ($872-$1,017) annually at home," said a local, Xu Xiufen.
Inundated with orders, weavers move things up in Wunan village. [Photo/app.zbnews.net]
Last year, weaving in Wunan village adopted new materials, with non-discoloring and mildewproof properties, which made the village no longer dependent on imported materials.
The products with the new materials quickly became hot items in the marketplace and the village received a total of 150,000 orders within the first two months of this year.
A bright and breezy selection of products is displayed in Wunan village. [Photo/app.zbnews.net]
At present, the village has expanded its range of products to fruit baskets, bun baskets, cushions, among 20 categories. A development pattern involving cooperatives, orders and rural households has been formed there, radiating out to a dozen neighboring villages.
This year, the concept of the courtyard economy was listed in the State papers, which is expected to add more impetus to the village's weaving development.
