"Xiao Liao, the corn seeds you gave me worked wonders! Brought you two to try; they're really sweet!" Dacuoji villager Lin Shuhua handed freshly-picked corn to Liao, a Taiwanese agricultural expert.

The fields in Dacuoji are bursting with new life. Thanks to Liao's guidance, this year the village welcomed bumper harvests of Taiwanese specialties: fruit okras, Hualien No.1 watermelons, papaya passion fruits, cherry tomatoes, and sweet corn.

Liao Zhengyuan (right) inspects the growth of okra.

Wei Liangsheng, one of the first to try Liao's methods, was ecstatic with the results. "The okras are much bigger this year. I was right to follow your advice." After experimenting with planting five mu (approximately 0.8 acres) of okra with Liao last year, Wei decisively switched his 15-mu sweet potato plantation to okra this year, boosting his income significantly from 3,000 yuan to 9,000 yuan per mu. Turning the pods into okra tea or coffee could push profits even higher.

Wei also highlighted the transformative impact of Liao's techniques. "He taught us to cover the ground with black film to prevent weed growth and even uses biological agents for pest control. These methods are very different from our traditional planting practices, but the results are remarkable. The crops not only grow better but are also greener and healthier." Inspired by these successes, Wei has now diversified into papaya passion fruit, becoming one of the first "new farmers" in the village to reap the benefits of these profitable ventures.

Zhong Changmei's fields tell the same success story. After harvesting his white radishes, he followed Liao's advice and squeezed in a crop of Taiwan's Hualien No. 1 watermelons during the fallow period. The melons became a huge hit—big yields, sweet, and they sell fast. "Mr. Liao doesn't just give us seeds," Zhong says. "He walks us through every step, troubleshoots problems right in the field, and keeps coming back to help. Now we're confident enough to expand next year."

Liao's vision is clear: "I just want the villagers to understand that they cannot just stick to traditional crops like peanuts and sweet potatoes. They can definitely try planting crops with higher economic value to achieve better economic benefits."

Expanding Sales Channels to Boost Economic Returns

Liao's commitment extends beyond cultivation to market access. "Friends, these are Taiwanese Hualien watermelons grown in Pingtan. The flesh is delicate, and the sweetness is incredible," he enthusiastically promoted during a live-streamed sales event. Recognizing that farmers often struggle to market their produce effectively, Liao acts as a trusted "sales strategist."

"Farmers used to wait for buyers at the market, which often resulted in lower prices," Liao explained. "I hope to help them open up sales channels, letting more people know how delicious the Taiwanese agricultural products we grow in Pingtan are, so that farmers can get better returns."

To achieve this, Liao draws on Taiwan's experience in refined agriculture, advocating for the deep processing of agricultural products. He transforms okra into health tea and okra seeds into coffee-like beverages, extending shelf life and increasing added value. He also actively promotes the development of a "planting-processing-sales" entire industry chain in Dacuoji Village, enabling produce to move directly from the farm to consumers' tables.

"Good products can also be difficult to sell, so we must help farmers grasp this crucial sales aspect to give them more confidence," Liao stated. "We are currently applying for green food certification, which will give our Taiwanese fruit okra a stronger brand effect, enabling it to reach a broader market and allowing more people to taste our high-quality agricultural products."

Cultivating a Distinctive Agricultural Village

Liao's five-mu experimental plot in Dacuoji Village serves as an "incubator" for new agricultural varieties. Once successful, these varieties are shared with farmers without reservation, earning him the reputation of a "variety treasure trove."

Driving the adoption of new crop varieties is just the initial phase of Liao's broader agricultural vision. He aims to establish a Taiwanese-variety orchard throughout the village, seamlessly integrating agriculture with tourism. This initiative seeks to offer visitors not only a diverse array of Taiwanese fruits but also picturesque rural landscapes and an immersive agricultural cultural experience.

"I hope to continue innovating and introducing more Taiwanese fruits to Pingtan, leveraging Pingtan's reputation as an international tourism island," Liao said. "This way, tourists visiting Pingtan will know that beyond the charming seascapes, they can also savor authentic Taiwanese fruits and vegetables, truly experiencing the unique charm of cross-Straits agricultural integration."

Under Liao's influence, an increasing number of villagers are gaining confidence in cultivating specialized agricultural products. Wei Hao, secretary of the Dacuoji Village Party Branch, affirmed Liao's vital role: "Mr. Liao has played a crucial role in our village's agricultural development. In the past, there was a lot of idle land in the village. Now, many villagers are reclaiming and reactivating these idle lands with new varieties. Next, we will fully assist him in further expanding the land area and jointly building a unique agricultural village."

"I studied agriculture, and here I can realize my dreams," Liao said, expressing his hope that compatriots from both sides of the Straits will work together to make the industries on this land flourish and strengthen it as a bridge for spiritual communication.