In the orchards of Qin'an County, Gansu Province, lush green leaves still shelter abundant fruits even in winter, filling the air with fragrance as local farmers celebrate a bumper apple harvest. Apples serve as a pillar industry for rural prosperity in Qin'an, where authorities have adopted the "Thousand and Ten Thousand Project" approach by collaborating with universities and research institutions to enhance agricultural innovation and technology adoption.
Since last year, over 2,000 acres of orchards have piloted non-bagging cultivation techniques, a breakthrough that extends fruit retention, improves taste and appearance, and increases sugar content. Winter-harvested apples have become a unique selling point, attracting buyers and expanding market reach both domestically and internationally.
The positive market response has delivered tangible economic benefits to farmers, fueling their enthusiasm for agricultural technology. Equipped with smartphones and modern tools, they are embracing new learning opportunities on the Loess Plateau. Empowered by innovation, farmers are now more confident in driving high-quality industry growth.