Kiwi fruits drive rural economy in Xifeng

Villagers check the kiwi fruits' growth at a planting base in Xinglong village of Xifeng county, Guiyang. [Photo/WeChat account of Xifeng]

Benefiting from the abundant sunshine and nutrient-dense soil, the kiwi fruit from Xinglong village of Wenquan town in Xifeng county, Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, has enjoyed a good reputation for being large, juicy and sweet.

In recent years, Xinglong village has planted more than 1,300 mu (86.67 hectares) of kiwi fruit with an annual output of more than 400,000 kilograms.

To expand the kiwi fruit industry, Xinglong has adopted an integrated development model of combining companies, the local village collective economic organization, farmers' cooperatives and bases as well as independent farmers themselves, and created its own brand of kiwi fruit.

The village has also established seven cooperatives, and developed other industries including pig breeding and planting crisp red plums to increase the incomes of more than 1,300 villagers in over 300 households.

Moreover, the village collective's income has now exceeded 200,000 yuan ($28,100) annually, and the farmers pay dividends of more than 1 million yuan.

These dividends and some odd jobs in local orchards and farms have made it unnecessary for villagers to have to go out to find work.

The village's kiwi fruit industrial park has now become a popular destination for tourists to go sightseeing and experience farming.

Next, the town will continue promoting the restructuring of the rural economy and the development of characteristic industries to benefit more people.