Hu Guibing, a chief scientist with the National Lychee Longan Industrial Technology System, reports that the Xiantao lychee is set to contribute to rural development in Maoming, China. This predominantly concerns the western region of Guangdong province. Demonstrative cultivation commenced in March of the preceding year in the Dianbai district. The lychee trees have now begun bearing fruit.
Typically, lychee trees yield fruit after three to four years of cultivation, as noted by Hu, also the dean of the College of Horticulture at South China Agricultural University.
The Xiantao lychee, or fairy peach lychee, derives its name from its size. The fruit can reach up to 110 grams, larger than a duck's egg, resembling a fairy peach. Maoming currently hosts approximately 667,000 square meters of area dedicated to this fruit.
There is consideration from Hu to extend the planting area for Xiantao lychee to 66.67 square kilometers across the country, aiming to improve farmer income and advance rural economies. Local grower Luo Daohai noted the market's positive reception to Xiantao lychee upon its introduction this year.
Formerly of the National Lychee Longan Industrial Technology System, Chen Houbin is advocating for the fusion of lychee farming with tourism in Caojiang township, under Gaozhou in Maoming. According to Chen, "Lychee orchards can become tourist attractions when the lychee trees blossom and yield fruit, attracting tourists from home and abroad to appreciate the flowers and taste the famous southern Chinese fruit." He also remarked on the lack of adequate planning and management compared to orchards in America and Europe, suggesting the need for transformation and upgrading based on local conditions.
In Caojiang, Ruan Chuanmeng, deputy Party secretary, stated that the lychee industry is fundamental to the township's economy. With this acknowledgment, the local government remains committed to fostering the lychee sector. Ruan emphasized the new developments by expressing optimism for the industry's future.
Source: China Daily
