Yesterday, I visited a small village in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so-named as it is where the vast majority of the Zhuang ethnic minority live. Most are subsistence farmers, meaning they only really grow what they consume themselves with no surplus to sell. They are looking for ways to improve their lot and I was invited to attend discussions on how to move forward. Of course, we also had a look around.
First some setting. The village is about an hour or so south of Liuzhou where I live. It is surrounded by karst hills.
Admiring the View
The lamps are on the expressway which passes by the village.
Most of the villagers' land is given over to rice production. They concentrate on the staples.
Rice Paddy
Miles of Rice
That woman is attempting to water her vegetable garden among the rice from a plastic bucket.
One visitor from the city becomes inordinately fascinated by rice growing.
I Can See the Rice Grow
Other plants are crammed into corners.
Bananas
Gourds
Chilies
Meat - Very Free Range
Different Meat - Ditto
Fish Pond - More meat
Farming Fish on the River
Until recently, the village homes were rather primitive, but in recent years the young have shunned the rural lifestyle and fled to the cities seeking employment. They send money home, when they can, and this has nearly all been invested in building more comfortable homes. However, many of the older buildings remain.
Recently, with government aid, the villagers have built themselves a village library. It is in this small three-roomed building which is totally empty. Not a chair, desk or a single book. Quite sad really. But they were proud of it.
Following this visit and lunch, I relocated a couple of miles to the south to visit a dragon fruit farm. Details here.