Yongtai's premium plums nurture county's prosperity

Farmers dry plums in the sun. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Heralded as the plum paradise of China, Yongtai county in Fuzhou city, capital of East China's Fujian province, is widely regarded as being the epicenter of excellence in the cultivation of the fruit. 

Its famed Yongtai dried plum, a national geographical indication or GI product, a kind of international appellation for highest-grade, unique regional product, has garnered acclaim from near and far.

In a bid to take plum cultivation to new heights, Yongtai has introduced expert teams from the Fruit Tree Research Institute of the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. These were appointed to provide on-site technical assistance, as well as to promote new varieties of fresh plums and cultivation techniques.

Now, efforts are being made to transform plum cultivation and processing from extensive planting to much more refined production models.

That's while the county is vigorously constructing provincial-level modern agricultural industrial parks to drive the full-chain development of plum production and processing, enabling the locals to thrive with a better life.

Embracing the ethos of sustainable agriculture, Yongtai is not merely cultivating crops but is also nurturing a thriving and evolving industry. 

Through a strategic focus on industrial evolution, enhanced productivity, and the seamless integration of agriculture, culture and tourism, Yongtai is said to be following a very special blueprint for green and sophisticated agricultural development.