Fruit harvest in Shandong brings joy to farmers

The orchards are now full of ripe fruit hanging from the branches, attracting customers from near and far. [Photo by Chu Baorui for chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 10,000 mu (about 667 hectares) of apples and pears in Danianchen town – in Huimin county, Bingzhou city, in East China's Shandong province – has entered peak season for a bumper harvest, exciting local farmers.

"My orchard has about 40 or 50 mu planted with apples and pears. On weekends, nearby urban residents bring their children to pick fruit," said Wang Tingguang, a villager from Wangxichi village in Danianchen town.

People have a ball picking apples at Wang Tingguang's orchid. [Photo by Chu Baorui for chinadaily.com.cn]

According to Feng Detao, the head of the forestry station of Danianchen town, the county invited agricultural experts to hold several training courses on forestry and fruit technology in recent years.

It adopted various measures to improve the quality and efficiency of fruit production, such as enhancing soil organic matter, using insect-proof nets and reflective films.

"The price of fruit has gone up, which has increased the incomes of fruit farmers and promoted rural vitalization," Feng said. (Edited by Fan Yuanyuan)