In the orchards of Zhongba Town (中坝镇), Zijin County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province, a vibrant scene of red marks the arrival of harvest season. Known as the "Home of Zijin Honey Plums", the town is celebrating a bumper crop of more than 3.33 square kilometers of Sanhua plums (三华李), with total output expected to reach 2,250 tons. For local farmers, these fruits are more than a seasonal treat; they are a powerful engine for rural revitalization.
The success of this year's harvest is deeply rooted in science. Through the province's rural technology commissioner program, experts from South China Agricultural University have brought modern farming techniques directly to local farmers.
"The quality of our plums has improved significantly, with the largest fruits reaching 6 centimeters in diameter," said Sun Zhichuan, a local villager who expects to earn about 60,000 yuan this year. By mastering precision irrigation, green pest control and other modern farming techniques, local households have seen their average income increase by more than 10,000 yuan.
Zhongba Town is not just growing plums. It is building a brand. By hosting plum blossom festivals, orchard opening events and picking festivals, the town has boosted the reputation of "Zhongba Sanhua Plums" across provinces and further promoted the regional brand of "Zijin Honey Plums". To streamline sales, multiple fruit collection stations have been set up, attracting wholesalers from Fujian Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as well as Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou and other cities in Guangdong. Recently, nearly 500 tons of plums were sorted and shipped to markets nationwide through both traditional and e-commerce channels.
With an annual comprehensive output value nearing 10 million yuan, the specialty fruit industry has become a cornerstone of the local economy. Heyuan's approach, combining expert knowledge, professional logistics and regional branding, offers a practical example of how traditional villages can grow into thriving hubs of modern agriculture. In Heyuan, the sweet taste of success is now being felt by more farming households.
Author: Dong Han
Photo: Heyuan Daily
