Hechi anticipates bumper pearl plum harvest

Pearl plums are helping to turn the lives around for fruit farmers in Minglun town of Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county, bringing in high yields and handsome profits.

First introduced into the town on the recommendation of the government in recent years, today there is over 20,000 mu (1333 hectares) dedicated to growing plums, benefiting more than 1,100 low-income families.

The dense air from the high altitude of Minglun town, combined with low temperatures creates perfect growing conditions for plums of any kind.

"Some of our pearl plum trees began to really fruit this year and will debut on the market in 2017," said Mo Rongmeng, a Party member of Baoshan village, subordinate to Minglun town.

Juicy pearl plums hang from tree branches in Minglun town of Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county, Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo/gx.people.com.cn]

"In our village, we have 100 mu of pearl plums planted," Mo said, while busying himself fertilizing and weeding his own 20-mu of pearl plum trees.

Pearl plum trees begin producing fruit after three years and hit peak production after five years, yielding more than 50 kilos per tree. Being sold at five to 10 yuan ($0.74 to $1.48) per kilo, plums have become a pillar industry in Minglun and have brought a steady income for local farmers.

Wang Zhifu, a farmer who started planting plum trees on an area of 600 mu in 2014, is hopeful of good harvests in the future.

Local fruit farmers look forward to bumper harvests on their way in early August. [Photo/gx.people.com.cn]

"I didn't get a high yield this year, but I am sure I will embrace a big harvest next year," Wang said. "We will also receive more training on farming techniques which will improve our production." The local government in Minglun town has established three cooperatives to help the farmers find buyers and increase sales on the market.

"Our pearl plums ripen in early August, staggering the peak seasons of ordinary plums in May and June. Featuring its unique aromatic flavor, it will no doubt be well received by consumers," said one official.

Growing pearl plums has helped to increase the incomes of local people in Minglun town of Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county. [Photo/gx.people.com.cn]