In East China’s Shandong province, Juye County is helping farmers increase their incomes and promote rural vitalization by prioritizing industrial development. The county has focused on creating “doorstep” factories—small, town and village-level workshops that provide local employment opportunities.
To date, Juye has invested 660 million yuan ($92.9 million) to establish 238 such workshops across 17 towns and sub-districts, spanning a total area of 683,400 square meters. These workshops have created jobs for around 35,000 local people, helping to boost income and employment in the region.
One of the key contributors to this success is Shandong Cale Smart Home Co Ltd, a company that produces bed sheets and duvet covers for export to Japan. Located in Longgu town, the factory has attracted over 300 local workers since it opened two years ago. Dong Juan, an employee, shared that her monthly salary ranges between 4,000 and 5,000 yuan, along with good welfare benefits.
In addition to Cale Smart Home, more than 30 other factories in Longgu town provide employment for over 3,000 villagers each year. One of the largest employers is Juye Wanxin Knitted Clothing Co Ltd, which has been hiring local farmers since 2013. The company, which produces knitted clothing, has an annual output of over 4 million units and a revenue of more than 30 million yuan. It provides jobs for over 500 villagers, with an annual income boost of 70,000 yuan per person.
Villagers, such as Liu Sanhuan, have found the convenience of local employment particularly beneficial. Liu, who has worked at Juye Wanxin for eight years, said the job is better than working away from home, as it allows him to care for his family while earning a stable income.
Juye County continues to attract private enterprises to set up local factories, aiming to create more employment opportunities for farmers. This initiative aligns with China’s rural vitalization program, which aims to improve industrial, talent, cultural, ecological, and organizational aspects of rural life.
Through these “doorstep” factories, Juye County is helping farmers balance agricultural life with steady, local employment, contributing to broader economic development and a more prosperous society.