Liao Zhengyuan from Taiwan pictured planting Taiwan’s pineapple varieties in Pingtan

Spring sowing paints the picture of March's Chinese countryside. In Pingtan, an island city in Fujian known as the closest place on the Chinese mainland to the island of Taiwan, new fruit has settled in at their newfound home in Dacuoji Village. On March 16, busy farmers worked on digging trenches, fertilizing the soil, mulching, and planting Taiwan pineapple seedlings on a plantation. Pingtan Island is the central government's centerpiece mission for cross-Straits integration and home to many Taiwan businesses.

Fujian Pingtan Lantai Ronghe Xingwang Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. manages this pineapple plantation on about 25 mu of land. On this plot of land, close to 35,000 pineapple seedlings will be sowed. The task will take about 10 days. According to Chen Hongxing, head of the Taiwan-funded agricultural company, the plantation is expected to welcome a harvest next May.

According to Wei Hao, party secretary of Dacuoji Village and the director of the village committee, the plantation used to be a plot of deserted land, occasionally used to plant sweet potatoes and peanuts. Later, the village engaged a Taiwan-funded agriculture company to cultivate the land, converting it into a pineapple plantation and developing a unique industry for rural revitalization.

Chen Hongxing, a Taiwan entrepreneur who started a business in Fujian, has rich experience in pineapple planting and pastry baking. This year, when he visited rural areas in Pingtan to investigate agricultural land, he had the idea of growing pineapples. "We found that the climate and soil of Dacuoji Village were ideal for planting pineapples, so we decided to work with the village and introduce Taiwan pineapple varieties," said Chen.

Due to the long growth cycle of pineapples, from seedling planting to maturity, it is necessary to carry out fertilization, weeding, pruning before harvest, and fruit picking. And there is a large demand for labor. The base will bring more job opportunities and offer a source of extra income to the surrounding villagers.

Liao Zhengyuan also from Taiwan participated in the planning and management of the base. "We provide workers with technology training and enable villagers to increase their income during the busy farming season. Subsequently, we'll incorporate sightseeing, baking, and educational farm tours in the orchard. Visitors will enjoy fresh pineapples, freshly-baked pastries, jams, and other pineapple products," said Liao Zhengyuan.

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