Kiwi fruit brings prosperity to Xinglong village in Xifeng

This October, at the kiwi plantation in Xinglong village, Xifeng county, Guiyang city, rows of lush vines are heavy with ripe kiwis, filling the air with a sweet fragrance as villagers busily harvest and pack the fruit of their labor. Few would have imagined that just 12 years ago, this area was a barren hillside.

Under the continuous pergolas in Xinglong village, kiwifruit hang all over the branches. [Photo/xifeng.gov.cn]

The villagers, carrying baskets, pick and pack kiwifruit into baskets. [Photo/xifeng.gov.cn]

In 2014, guided by agricultural experts, the village Party branch decided to develop the kiwifruit industry based on local conditions. Party members took the lead by planting 50 mu (3.3 hectares) in the first year. After seeing good returns, villagers eagerly joined in. Today, the plantation covers 1,000 mu and follows standardized production practices, adopting green pest control and precision fertilization technologies. Pesticide use has dropped by 30 percent, while fruit sweetness has increased by 0.5 percent.

To expand sales, the village launched an e-commerce team to promote live-streaming sales – during one session, over 2,000 kilograms were sold. Xinglong village has also established partnerships with eight major buyers nationwide and created its own brand, "Xinglong Kiwi", which now sells for 4 yuan ($0.6) more per kg.

With the industry's growth, the village has built scenic walkways and a picking experience zone, hosting its first Kiwi Harvest Festival that attracted visitors from nearby areas. Agritourism businesses have flourished, providing local jobs for over 50 residents. So far, 126 households have joined kiwi cultivation, increasing their annual income by an average of 20,000 yuan.

Next, Xinglong village plans to develop kiwi processing, build cold storage facilities, and produce kiwi wine and dried fruit, while expanding under-forest farming such as free-range chickens and medicinal herbs, creating multiple sources of income on every acre of land.