Grape industry boosts rural incomes in Xifeng

Grape harvesting is now in full swing in Guiyang's Xifeng county, with 31,200 mu (2,080 hectares) of vineyards, making it the city's largest growing and picking region.

In Hongyan village, a key grape-growing area in Xifeng, vineyards are bustling with activity as workers pick, sort, and pack fresh grapes for same-day shipment to Chongqing.

Villagers in Hongyan pick grapes. [Photo/xifeng.gov.cn]

Residents began planting grapes in the 1970s, and the industry has since expanded to more than 6,000 mu. The Xifeng agricultural association and village Party branch provide growers with technical training, quality control, and marketing services, while local wineries process surplus grapes, helping farmers increase their incomes. In 2014, the village's grapes received national geographical indication protection.

In Changyong village, Liuchang town, demonstration planting has encouraged more than 40 households to grow grapes across over 200 mu, generating an annual output of more than 7 million yuan ($1.04 million).

The county is integrating this burgeoning industry with rural tourism by developing experiences that combine grape picking and homestays, further extending the industry chain and creating new income sources for residents.