FAO honors Ningbo village for rural innovation

The Hongxin plant factory in Hengkantou village, Ningbo. [Photo/Yongpai app]

A village in Ningbo has been selected by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as a model for sustainable rural development, highlighting how digital technology is reshaping life in the countryside.

Hengkantou village, located in Liangnong town, was included in the FAO's Village Recognition Initiative as a digital and technology-enabled village. The program, launched in 2025 as part of the organization's 80th anniversary celebrations, identifies rural communities around the world that demonstrate innovation, resilience, cultural vitality, and sustainable development.

Villages selected for the initiative are incorporated into the FAO's Museums and Networks (MuNe) platform, where their experiences and development models can be shared internationally.

Over the past several years, Hengkantou has embraced digital technologies across agriculture, public services and local governance. Farmers use internet of things (IoT) systems to monitor production, while local fruit and vegetable supply chains are digitally managed from cultivation to delivery, allowing products to reach consumers quickly and with full traceability.

The village has also achieved full 5G coverage, enabling services such as drone-assisted field inspections, digital payments, telemedicine, and online education. These technologies have helped improve both agricultural efficiency and residents' access to public services.

Beyond technology, Hengkantou has combined modern farming with tourism and community development, creating new economic opportunities while preserving its rural character.

According to local officials, the FAO recognition reflects growing international interest in innovative approaches to rural vitalization and provides an opportunity to share Ningbo's experiences with a global audience.