The pearl plum orchard in Tian'e county, Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region [Photo/Guangxi Daily]

In recent years, Southwest China's Guangxi Tian'e county has proven that lucid waters and lush mountains are truly invaluable assets.

In order to help undeveloped rural areas, Tian'e has carried out targeted poverty-relief programs to accelerate the growth of certain agricultural industries.

The county government has encouraged entities such as e-commerce enterprises and farmer cooperatives to take part in its poverty alleviation strategies by providing them with favorable policies.

A large number of local farmers have taken to planting pollution-free fruits, which, in the long run, could create more employment opportunities and help struggling families.

The county allocates about 106 million yuan ($16.64 million) a year to the development of agriculture-related sectors, with the modernization of agricultural equipment being a focal point. There is also a four-million-yuan supporting fund which is used as start-up capital for impoverished farmers.

In addition to the fruit-growing business, Tian'e county has a decades-long history of cultivating medicinal herbs. Since January this year, some 5,000 mu (333.33 hectares) of traditional medicinal herbs have been added to the county's inventory.

There are currently as many as 85,000 mu worth of medicinal herbs in Tian'e county, benefiting 5,340 households, 1,564 of which are low-income.

Staff of an e-commerce enterprise in Tian'e county package pearl plums to be delivered countrywide. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

Farmers care for their medicinal plants in Tian'e county, Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo/gxny.gov.cn]