Gansu Province is renowned for its abundant potato yields. In the Wuwei region, in particular, potato farming has long served as a lifeline for local households. For Zhou Zhilin, a native of Wuwei, potatoes symbolise more than sustenance—they evoke warm memories of family and tradition. During busy farming seasons, his mother would rise early each morning to prepare potato batter porridge, a simple yet beloved breakfast. Locals affectionately refer to potatoes as sangyue, a regional term that reflects cultural intimacy and everyday familiarity.

　　Two decades ago, however, families like Zhou's faced a persistent challenge: how to transform this staple crop into a reliable and sustainable source of income. The turning point came in 2006, when Dali Foods established its large-scale potato processing facility in Wuwei.

　　This strategic investment marked the beginning of a regional transformation. Adopting an inclusive, partnership-driven model that connects agribusiness, cooperatives, and individual farmers, Dali Foods helped modernise the upstream segment of the potato supply chain. The initiative has since expanded its reach to benefit potato-producing regions throughout western and northern China, including Gansu, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang.

　　In Wuwei and surrounding counties alone, Dali Foods has signed contracts with farmers and specialised cooperatives to cultivate more than 40,000 mu (approximately 2,667 hectares) of potatoes. In 2019, the project directly supported over 5,000 farming households, generating approximately RMB 30 million in labour income. This industrially anchored approach has significantly improved rural livelihoods while setting a model for agri-based poverty alleviation and sustainable development.