Guizhou's rural revival bears fruit with bumper citrus harvest

A local farm in Xinjing Town in southwest China's Guizhou Province is abuzz with its citrus harvest – golden, plump fruits weigh down the trees, marking a bountiful season. This success is tied closely to China's efforts in rural revitalization, which have transformed how farmers work here.

Until 2024, citrus harvesting was tough: farmers had to carry the fruit up and down hills, a slow and costly process. Then, a 680,000-yuan ($96,000) government fund brought a monorail transport system to the orchards. Now, three monorails (totaling 3,200 meters) serve over 30 households and cover over 1,000 mu (about 67 hectares) of orchards. One monorail trip can carry 400 kg of citrus – equivalent to eight laborers – cutting costs and boosting efficiency.

Rooted in 1976, the citrus industry of the farm now spans over 2,500 mu (around 167 hectares) with an annual output of over 1.15 million kilograms. The local altitude, climate, and soil all combine to produce sweet and popular fruit. This growth is about more than just crops; it's about rural revitalization in action. Better technology brings more stable incomes and a thriving rural life.