A fruitful endeavor

Besides helping local producers, these have created job opportunities, says Jin Yi, an official in charge of Majiadang. In the first half of this year, the village witnessed a tourist footfall of 90,000 and raked in 8 million yuan, Jin adds.

Construction of a new railway station, within walking distance of Tang's farm, is expected to begin this month. Majiadang will then be a 30-minute train ride from Shanghai. "We can certainly expect more visitors once the station comes up," Tang says.

In the near future, the farmer hopes to make his business largely digital. "I also want to hire young people to keep up with the times," he adds.