Shidong town: Specialty industries drive rural vitalization

Longping village in Shidong town, Xifeng county, Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, is tapping into its rich agricultural resources to drive comprehensive rural vitalization.

In recent years, Longping village has been employing its favorable climate and geography to develop the golden plum industry through a collaborative model involving enterprises, farmers, and village collectives. This initiative has carved out a distinctive path for the village's agricultural development.

An aerial view of the Longping village orchard. [Photo/Wechat account of Xifeng county]

Situated at an altitude of 1,300 meters, the village's significant temperature differences between day and night create an ideal environment for growing golden plums.

With over 500 mu (33.33 hectares) now under cultivation, the orchard is expected to yield around 1,500 kilograms per mu this year, generating a total output value of 25 million yuan ($3.52 million). This industry has also created jobs for over 100 local farmers, boosting the village collective's annual income by more than 20,000 yuan.

What's more, the golden plum industry offers valuable employment opportunities for nearby residents, equipping them with essential skills in orchard management and fruit cultivation.

Shidong town has already established several specialty agricultural industries, including kiwi fruit, tea, and vegetables, supporting the employment of 50,000 local workers.

Looking ahead, Shidong town aims to further optimize the use of village collective assets, foster sustainable industrial growth, refine industry layouts, and strengthen the village collective economy.