As the fragrance of waxberries drifts through the early summer air, plump and purplish-red waxberries hang heavily on the branches at the greenhouse plantation in Baishaxi Village, Huaqiao Town, Zhongfang County, Huaihua City. Fruit farmers skillfully pick the ripe fruits, and a festive atmosphere of a good harvest fills the air.

A farmer checks the growth of waxberries at the plantation.

  
Surrounded by mountains, Baishaxi Village boasts a superior ecological environment where the fresh air, suitable climate, and high-quality soil lay a natural foundation for waxberry cultivation, making it an ideal place for fruit farming. To further improve fruit quality and mitigate natural risks, modern facility agriculture has been introduced, establishing a standardized greenhouse waxberry plantation, and forging a path for the development of a refined, high-quality specialty fruit industry.

According to Tang Qicai, head of the plantation, the total waxberry planting area at the plantation is about 30 mu (approximately two hectares), including 20 mu (about 1.333 hectares) of Dongkui waxberries and 10 mu (about 0.667 hectares) of Taimei waxberries. Currently, Taimei waxberries have ripened and taken the lead in hitting the market, seizing the fresh fruit market in early summer. "The waxberries we grow in greenhouses are far superior to ordinary waxberries in open fields in their taste, appearance, and sweetness. The quality advantage is very obvious."

An aerial photo of the waxberry greenhouse plantation in Baishaxi Village.
 

Tang Qicai, who has been deeply engaged in agriculture for nearly a decade, has always been focusing on quality improvement and upgrading in the specialty fruit industry. Relying on greenhouse planting techniques, he has effectively mitigated the impact of natural disasters such as wind and rain, pests, and other extreme weather on waxberry growth, significantly increasing the rate of marketable fruits and the proportion of high-quality ones.

Thanks to the excellent quality and great taste, the greenhouse waxberries from Baishaxi Village have built up a solid market reputation and have been in high demand and short supply since they came to the market. In addition to supplying the local market, many consumers drive to the village, immersing themselves in the joy of fruit picking and enjoying the unique fresh sweetness of summer up close. Meanwhile, the thriving specialty industry has also benefited local people, providing nearby jobs for over 20 villagers daily on average in peak seasons and helping farmers increase their income.

In recent years, Zhongfang County has leveraged the ecological resource advantages in various towns and villages, developing boutique specialty fruit and vegetable industries according to local conditions, improving industrial quality and efficiency with facility agriculture, and continuously enhancing specialty agricultural brands. The steady development of the industry has not only revitalized idle rural land resources and broadened channels for farmers to increase income, but also effectively activated rural development, continuously revitalizing rural industry with sweet momentum.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.  

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Chinanews