In the autumn season, the orchards in Duzhai Village, Yechuan Town, Gaoping City, Shanxi Province, are experiencing a bountiful harvest. Red apples hang heavy on branches, filling the air with sweet fragrance as villagers busily move through the orchards harvesting ripe fruit, creating scenes of abundant prosperity across the countryside.
The orchards in Duzhai Village are located adjacent to Duzhai Reservoir, benefiting from abundant water sources and fertile soil that provide ideal conditions for fruit tree growth. The orchards span over 300 acres and cultivate more than 20 varieties of fruit including apples, plums, apricots, yellow pears, and peaches. Through a "cooperative + farmer + company" model, they have established a "diversified planting, staggered market entry" industrial structure to boost farmers' income.
Wei Fugen, a 60-year-old villager who works year-round in the orchards, arrives early each morning during apple harvest season. With skilled movements, he gently twists the apples, which fall smoothly into his hands. After sorting, these apples will be sold to market. "Working in the orchard, I can earn 60 yuan per day. The income is relatively stable, and the work isn't heavy," he says.
Currently, Duzhai Village's orchards provide employment for over 50 villagers. Fruit harvesting continues from June through late November, increasing villagers' average annual income by 10,000 yuan.
Orchard manager Niu Fuzhi explains: "Besides tourist picking, purchasing merchants also come to buy directly. Sales mainly target local areas and neighboring counties. Based on current harvest conditions, apple production is expected to reach about 30,000 jin (15 tons), with a value of approximately 60,000 yuan. Yellow pears will ripen soon, and we'll organize villagers to actively participate in harvesting while further expanding market channels."
Meanwhile, in Hexi Village, Hexi Town, Gaoping City, hundred acres of jujube trees are also entering harvest season. Walking into the jujube cultivation base, rows of jujube trees are heavy with fruit of various sizes bending the branches. More than ten villagers work among the trees, wearing gloves and using sticks to tap branches, causing jujubes to fall onto prepared bags below.
Villager Li Qunying says: "I'm responsible for beating down the jujubes. These branches are heavy with fruit - one strike can fill half a bag. During this period, we're all here harvesting jujubes. I can earn 60-70 yuan per day while still taking care of home, which is much better than working away from home."
In recent years, Hexi Village has seized jujube market opportunities. Led by the Party branch, they established Sandaohe Professional Planting Cooperative, transferring 340 acres of abandoned riverbank land for large-scale cultivation of 100 acres of jujube trees, plus 200 acres of corn, 20 acres of sweet potatoes, and 20 acres of regular potatoes. Through diversified industries, they've achieved dual income growth for both the village collective and individual farmers.
To grow quality jujubes, the cooperative actively coordinates with Shanxi Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences during cultivation, introducing high-quality, high-yield seedlings and promoting green standardized planting techniques. They invite agricultural experts for regular field guidance and timely pruning, weeding, and fine management of jujube trees to improve fruit quality and promote industrial efficiency.
After three years of careful management, this year's hundred acres of jujube trees have entered their fruiting period. "We adhere to the concept of 'ecological priority, green development,' using physical pest control and no fertilizers to ensure fruit quality while allowing jujubes to grow naturally and safely," says technician Guo Yong'an.
Hexi Village Party Secretary Liu Changqing introduces that this is the first fruiting year for the jujube trees, and growth has been excellent with large size, thick flesh, and particularly good quality. Based on current harvesting conditions, jujube production is expected to reach about 500 jin per acre this year, with total production reaching 40,000 jin and potential value exceeding 100,000 yuan. Next year, entering full production period, yield per acre could reach 1,500 jin, doubling the benefits.
Today, small jujubes not only clothe barren land in green but have become a characteristic industry for rural development, enabling villagers to work and increase income at their doorstep, achieving a win-win situation for both ecological and economic benefits. Beyond fresh fruit sales, Hexi Village has also introduced deep-processing enterprises, planning to develop a series of high value-added products including jujube kernels, jujube juice, jujube leaf tea, and jujube kernel traditional medicine, allowing jujubes to appreciate in value locally.
Liu Changqing states that the village has already contacted fresh jujube fruit purchasers in advance, ensuring guaranteed sales channels. Additionally, the deep-processing factory site has been selected. After jujube harvesting is complete, they will accelerate factory construction, actively develop jujube product series to maximize jujube benefits. They will also connect with markets, expand sales channels, develop the jujube industry well, and drive more villagers to increase income.