Persimmon planting drives rural vitalization in Kaiyang

The selenium-enriched sweet persimmons planted in Kaiyang county are ripe for picking in early October. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

The selenium-enriched sweet persimmon planted in Kaiyang county in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, is now ripening.

The Kaiyang-produced persimmon was introduced by entrepreneur Li Hongyi from Taiwan through his company Guizhou Juyuan Se-enriched Sweet Persimmon Planting Co in 2016.

This variety of sweet persimmons has minimal fiber, high calcium content, and is rich in nutrition. Its pulp tastes like that of an apple or pear, with the light fragrance of cantaloupe. 

Tong found the climate and natural environment in Kaiyang to be highly suitable for fruit cultivation when searching for business opportunities in his hometown in 2016.

Workers of Guizhou Juyuan Se-enriched Sweet Persimmon Planting Co sort the picked persimmons before they hit the market. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

In the first year, a total of 500 mu (33.33 hectares) of Taiwan persimmon were planted in Kaiyang for testing.

In 2017, another 1,300 mu of Taiwan persimmon were planted through Li's company and 1,700 mu were planted by other Kaiyang farmers, turning persimmon planting into a driving force for rural vitalization in the county.

According to Tong Youping, the person in charge of the planting base of Guizhou Juyuan Se-enriched Sweet Persimmon Planting Co, the output of the base is predicted to reach 50,000 kg at its height, which would generate an estimated output value of 500,000 yuan ($75,018.75).

While making a fortune for the company, the base has also provided working opportunities for 14 local villagers.

According to villager Song Guoju, she can earn around 13,000 yuan per year working at the base while still having time to take care of her family.

Kaiyang-produced persimmons have minimal fiber, high calcium content, and are rich in nutrition. [Photo/Guiyang news network]