The orchards of Wanshan District, Tongren City of southwest China's Guizhou Province are a hive of activity amid their annual pomelo harvest. Covering over 1,333 hectares with an expected output of 13,000 tons, the juicy fruit has become a "golden fruit of prosperity" that boosts local agriculture and lifts farmers' incomes, painting a vivid picture of rural revitalization.

To tackle transportation challenges in mountainous areas, local agribusiness has deployed four drones for fruit delivery. With a team of two operating each drone, the technology can transport 30 tons per day – 20 times more efficient than manual labor. The company's total pomelo cultivation spans 400 hectares this year, with output doubling that of 2024 to an estimated 2.5 million kilograms and a projected revenue of 15 million yuan (about $2.1 million).

Leveraging China's east-west cooperation policy, the company secured a long-term supply deal with Guangzhou-based grocery chain Qiandama, having shipped 9,000 kilograms (1,500 crates) daily to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area since November 13, with plans to enter 2,000 stores there. It has also received 60 tons of orders from e-commerce platforms and 30 tons from supply and marketing systems, generating 460,000 yuan in sales.  

The business benefited over 2,600 households in 2024, creating 1,300 local jobs and paying 11 million yuan in wages annually. From an introduced variety to a local brand, Wanshan pomelos have become a key driver of rural prosperity, connecting mountainous regions to big markets and empowering farmers with stable incomes.