A busy scene was seen in the fruit and vegetable planting base of Dakuishang Village, Wugaishan Town, Chenzhou City. Over 100 tourists were picking chili peppers and eggplants in the field, with their laughter echoing in the air.

In recent years, Suxian District has developed characteristic industries based on regional characteristics and actively explored new paths for rural revitalization, such as improving agricultural efficiency, increasing farmers' income, and promoting rural development.

Zhu Xiaojian, a leader of agricultural entrepreneurs in Wugaishan Town, is a true follower of this path. He led the surrounding villagers to plant alpine fruits and vegetables, develop the “picking economy”, and form a new path of integrated development of agriculture and tourism, becoming a “new engine” for local rural revitalization.

In 2013, Zhu Xiaojian, who had been engaged in mining outside for many years, returned home with deep feelings for his hometown and founded an a company in Suxian District, with the determination to lead villagers in planting alpine fruits and vegetables.

Wugaishan Town is located at an average altitude of 800 meters. To cultivate fruit and vegetable varieties suitable for high-altitude regions, Zhu Xiaojian went to Japan and South Korea to learn advanced planting techniques and management models, and also established scientific research cooperation relationships with universities in Guangdong Province.

After years of efforts, he successfully cultivated more than 10 fruit and vegetable varieties suitable for high-altitude cultivation, such as passion fruit and cherry tomato.

These fruits and vegetables are popular in the consumer market of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area due to their green, organic, and superior quality.

“This year’s total output is expected to reach over 3 million kilograms, all of which will be supplied to the major markets of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and there is also a portion that will also meet the local order demand in Chenzhou,” said Zhu Xiaojian.

Zhu Xiaojian never forgets helping villagers increase income, actively hiring surrounding villagers to work in the base.

Chen Huimei, a villager from Liangsanping Village, once exhausted her savings due to her husband’s cancer, while Li Baihua, a villager from Dakuishang Village, has a leg disability due to polio and had not worked for many years, resulting in financial difficulties.

Zhu Xiaojian not only invited them to work at the base, but also taught them advanced planting concepts and techniques, helping them achieve stable income.

Nowadays, Zhu Xiaojian’s planting base has increased from 200 mu (13.33 hectares) to 1,480 mu (98.67 hectares), employing more than 70 villagers all year round.

At the same time, he vigorously developed the “picking economy”, effectively driving the development of local tourism and fattening villagers’ wallets.

In the past five years, Zhu Xiaojian has sold nearly 150,000 tons of alpine fruits and vegetables, achieving a revenue of over 60 million yuan and helping local farmers increase their annual income by nearly one million yuan.

Chinese source: voc.com.cn