Bountiful success: pomelo cultivation triumphs in Kaiyang

Pomelos in Miping township. [Photo/kaiyang gov.cn]

In recent years, Miping township in Kaiyang county has explored a diversified crop planting structure, identifying high-quality fruits as the pillar industry. The township has vigorously cultivated new types of operating entities, including large-scale plantations, family farms, and farmer professional cooperatives, aiming to promote the clustered development of industries for fruits such as pomelos, citrus fruits, and peaches, with large-scale operations driving individual farmers.

Simultaneously, adhering to a market-oriented approach, Miping is dedicated to building a local brand. By expanding its scale, building brands, and boosting sales, the township aims to turn distinctive high-quality fruits into a vital channel for local residents to continuously and stably increase their incomes.

Miping has adopted models such as "company + village collective base + farmers" to cultivate honey pomelos over an area of more than 500 mu (33.33 hectares). The expected production in 2023 is over 0.5 million kilograms, with an estimated output value of over 1.5 million yuan ($210,150).

Zhang Qishu is a large-scale honey pomelo cultivator in Xinnan village, Miping township. He began cultivating the fruit in 2013 and has expanded the cultivation scale every year. He is currently cultivating more than 120 mu. Over the years, he has gradually become a "local expert" in honey pomelo cultivation. Under his leadership, the honey pomelo cultivation area in Xinnan village has reached 400 mu, with an estimated annual production of 400,000 kilograms and a value of 1.2 million yuan.

While developing his own business, he employs local villagers on his base every year, offering them an annual income of over 50,000 yuan through employment and 20,000 yuan in land rent. Additionally, he provides technical and skill training for the farmers, enhancing their ability to independently develop their industries.