Nandan persimmons
In the golden autumn of October, persimmons in Liuzhai town, Nandan county, welcomed a bountiful harvest.
Zou Weijian, the head of the Muanjuan Horticultural Cooperative in Liuzhai town, has been cultivating persimmons with his wife for over 30 years.
"The total area of the cooperative is 2,500 mu (167 hectares), with over 1,000 mu dedicated to persimmon cultivation. This year's estimated yield is around 1.5 million kilograms. The expected income for this year is over 3 million yuan ($413,438)," Zou introduced.
The cooperative cultivates crispy persimmons, red persimmons, and makes dried persimmon. Among them, the crispy persimmons, with their sweet and crispy texture, have become a favorite among locals, according to Zou.
In recent years, the cooperative obtained 1.6 million yuan in funding from higher authorities, which has since been utilized to construct infrastructure such as industrial roads, parking lots, and tourist toilets. This has enhanced the tourism experience for visitors.
The cooperative not only focuses on selling products, but it has also developed a picking and sightseeing experience. It has become a driving force for rural vitalization in the area.
Mature persimmons hang on branches in Liuzhai town. [Photo/Hechi Daily]