Apple growers at a production base in northwest China say they have taken great encouragement from a recent visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and are filled with confidence to go further in the development of a modern fruit industry.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited the apple production base in Gansu Province's Tianshui City on Wednesday during an inspection tour of the province.
The apple production base spans three townships and 25 villages in Tianshui's Maiji District, with orchards and processing facilities covering an area of 10,000 hectares. It serves as a demonstration site for modern agriculture, integrating fruit production, technological innovation, tourism, and diverse educational opportunities.
This year, production of the crisp, sweet 'huaniu' apple variety has increased by 20 percent compared to the same period last year, bringing a boost to farmers' incomes.
Xi spoke with apple growers at the base, asking about the farmers' livelihoods and learning more about the development of the local modern fruit industry.
"I was very excited that the General Secretary came to our base. It is also an honor for our base. It's a big country and the General Secretary has a lot on his plate. We are fortunate to have him fit this visit into his busy schedule," said apple farmer Wu Shuangquan.
"Of course I'm happy, because I didn't think he would visit this place. The General Secretary is very approachable. When he was asking about our situation, he asked 'so how is life here?' It made me feel like we were just chatting about daily life," said Dong Guihong, a local resident.
"The General Secretary is most concerned about how to protect the Tianshui 'huaniu' apple variety - how to develop this industry well and truly increase people's income. The Nanshan huaniu apple base in Maiji District is currently the largest huaniu apple planting base in China, with an annual output of 220,000 tons. The output value is 600 million yuan (about 84 million US dollars). This year's weather is good, and the output of huaniu apples this year is 20 percent higher than the output per mu (0.066 hectares) in the same period last year. At the current market sales price, the average revenue generated per mu may reach more than 20,000 yuan," said Kang Tailai, deputy mayor of the city.
Local residents say the apple production base, which launched in 2005, has significantly improved their quality of life.
"Since working in the apple orchard, the biggest thing is I can look after our parents and our children while earning over 30,000 yuan a year. This alone has made life so bright," Dong said.
Local officials say they will work to further improve production and increase farmers' income, while apple growers expressed confidence in the industry and determination to forge ahead in pursuing modern agriculture development.
"We will follow the instructions of the General Secretary and step up efforts to research, develop, cultivate, select and promote new and better varieties. We will develop enterprises engaged in the full processing of huaniu apples, increase the added value of huaniu apples, which will increase the income of our fruit farmers," said the deputy mayor.
"We are greatly encouraged by the General Secretary's visit. We must have the confidence to make this industry stronger and bigger and help the people around us to lead a good life with a good income. I believe life will be sweet for us in the future, just like our sweet apples," Wu said.
Xi's visit encourages apple growers in Gansu to develop modern fruit industry
