The first phase of the live pig industrial chain project invested in by Shenzhen Kingkey Smart Agriculture Times Co Ltd was put into operation in Xuwen county, Zhanjiang on May 20.

The project is expected to provide a sample for other projects in the city to realize smart breeding, as well as lay a solid foundation for the city's goal of building itself into a safe and green vegetable base in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

With a total investment of 3 billion yuan ($422.25 million), the live pig project is set to cover more than 5,000 mu (333.33 hectares), which will be constructed in three phases. Five functional areas, namely a breeding core area, a forage production area, a slaughtering and processing area, a food cold chain area, as well as an ecological circulation area, will be set up.

Construction of the first phase of the live pig project started on Dec 30, 2019. It spans a total area of over 2,400 mu and is set to have a yearly production of 360,000 commercial pigs.

The construction site of the first phase of the live pig industrial chain project invested in by Shenzhen Kingkey Smart Agriculture Times Co Ltd in Xuwen county, Zhanjiang. [Photo by Zhang Fengfeng/gdzjdaily.com.cn]

The groundbreaking ceremony for the second-phase construction of the project was also held the same day and is expected to put into operation in May 2021.

A storied house breeding model will be adopted in the second phase of the project, which can realize the self-circulation of the original breeding pigs, breeding pigs, and fattening pigs in the single house, as well as greatly reduce the influence of pig diseases like African swine fever.

"Compared with the traditional single-story pigsty, the storied house breeding model increases the intensive land utilization rate by five times," said a person in charge of Shenzhen Kingkey Smart Agriculture Times Co Ltd.

"It can solve the dilemma that the scale of the single-story farm cannot be expanded in the southern hilly areas, and help Xuwen realize the sustainable development of modern agricultural economy."