Sichuan, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : In Shide County, located in the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan, China, an innovative model combining solar energy and poultry farming is driving rural revitalization. This region, nestled among mountain ranges at an altitude of about 2,600 meters, experiences significant temperature variations between day and night. The installation of solar panels creates an ideal environment for raising chickens, reducing the temperature beneath the panels by approximately 15 degrees Celsius during the summer. This helps prevent heat stress among the birds.
In winter, the panels provide shelter from harsh winds and help retain warmth. Additionally, the shade and controlled light from the panels decrease the likelihood of chickens pecking at each other, while protection from rain and wind reduces the risk of disease.
Local farmers are raising a breed known as “Shide Yanchi,” which is prized for its tender meat and low cholesterol content. Three years ago, businessman Kao Qifu from Fujian Province established a poultry farming venture in Shide focusing on this breed. The model emphasizes “one land, dual use, and complementary benefits,” allowing farmers to generate income from both solar energy production and poultry farming.
Chickens naturally forage for grass and insects growing beneath the solar panels, which decreases the need for herbicides and pesticides. These high-quality chickens command better prices in the market due to their organic upbringing. Furthermore, chicken droppings enhance soil fertility, while their natural digging behavior helps minimize the impact of grass on the solar panel stands and cables, creating a positive agricultural cycle.
On an institutional level, local authorities have adopted a “company + village committee + farmer” model. This structure allows a company to supply healthy chicks to farmers, who then raise them. The company later manages the purchasing and selling of the birds. The government also provides subsidies for poultry insurance and export incentives.
Despite the growth in poultry farming over the past two years and an increasing number of farmers participating, Kao Qifu noted that rising prices for “Yanchi” chickens have hindered sales. To address this, they are exploring the potential for mixed farming with native chickens to diversify their product range and open new sales channels.
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