Recently, a farmer in Suzhou City, Anhui Province, expressed that his contracted 500 mu of farmland for planting potatoes were looted by a large number of villagers during harvest, with hundreds or even thousands of villagers rushing to dig up the potatoes at the peak. This incident has attracted attention.
According to reports from mainland China media, on June 15, Mr. Zeng, a farmer in Jieji Town, Yungqiao District, Suzhou City, Anhui Province, reported to mainland China media that he encountered a large number of villagers looting his potatoes during harvest on the 500 mu of land he had contracted locally.
The looting intensified starting from June 10, with hundreds or thousands of villagers rushing to dig up the potatoes at the peak, some villagers bringing hoes, woven bags, tricycles, and even bedding and food. They worked in shifts day and night, and during the peak period, residents from surrounding towns and neighboring counties also joined in.
Mr. Zeng stated that the estimated loss of potatoes is nearly 1 million catties, valued at tens of thousands of yuan. “Those who came to rob the potatoes brought blankets and food to eat. When we were still sorting out the unfinished ones, they started the looting.”
Local village cadres argued that the villagers were picking up “small potatoes that the farm didn’t want,” and that the contractor had verbally allowed it. Mr. Zeng denied that the looting occurred in the core area before harvest.
The incident attracted attention online after being exposed.
Netizens commented, “Large-scale farmers have always had the same experiences.” “With the villagers behaving like this, who would dare to contract farmland for planting in their village? The ones suffering losses are the village’s economy, right?”
“In recent years, there have been frequent incidents of nearby residents looting watermelons, pumpkins, potatoes, radishes, and other agricultural products leased by farmers, causing a lot of losses for the lessees!” “Outsiders investing and starting businesses in rural areas. Without local involvement, they can hardly escape this fate.”
“I saw online incidents of banquet vegetable looting, blocking wedding cars, wedding disturbances, and looting of crops all happening in nearby areas.” “It shows that the income of the people is low, and once the income is insufficient, character becomes less essential! Such incidents are increasingly common online, and I hope they will be taken seriously!”
On June 14, the police in Suzhou City announced that they had filed a case to investigate the incident.