With the arrival of early autumn, the air turns crisp and the orchards are filled with the scent of ripening fruit. Following the start of autumn, it is the prime season for yellow peaches to mature and reach the market. In the peach plantation base of Xintan Town, Sheyang County, heavy peaches are hanging from the branches, their fragrance wafting through the groves, creating a vibrant scene of abundant harvest and bustling activity.
Walking into the plantation, rows of peach trees display lush foliage and rich greenery. The plump, perfectly round Jinxiu yellow peaches hang densely from the branches, their sweet aroma refreshing and delightful. In the orchard, workers are busy with coordinated efforts, skillfully selecting and picking ripe peaches. Before long, baskets full of peaches are neatly lined up along the field ridges, ready to be transported by tricycle to the sorting warehouse, beginning their "sweet journey" from orchard to market.
"The orchard has now entered its peak harvesting period. We arrange for more than 20 workers to pick daily, with a daily yield reaching 20,000 to 30,000 jin (10,000 to 15,000 kilograms). The picking and sales season will last for over 20 days," said Li Wenchen, the head of Sheyang County Xinpeng Modern Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. At the sorting center, two automated grading machines operate efficiently. Fresh yellow peaches are conveyed along the belt, precisely graded by weight using intelligent equipment, and then packed into turnover baskets for rapid dispatch to markets across the country.
Production manager Sun Chonghu stated, "Offline, we supply directly to large agricultural markets in neighboring cities like Suzhou and Wuxi. Online, we sell nationwide through livestream e-commerce and influencer promotions. Thanks to the exceptional taste, we have received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and our products are in high demand in the market."
Good quality brings a good reputation. It is understood that the main varieties grown at the base are Jinxiu yellow peaches and Yingshuanghong winter peaches. To ensure the flavor and quality of the fruit, the orchard adopts eco-friendly scientific management practices throughout the process, including organic fertilizer application and fruit bagging. The resulting peaches are well-shaped, with firm, juicy flesh and moderate sweetness, offering top-tier quality that is highly favored by consumers.
According to statistics, the peach orchard covers a total area of over 500 mu (approximately 33 hectares), with more than 40,000 peach trees planted, including over 160 mu dedicated to Jinxiu yellow peaches. This year, the peaches have shown excellent growth, and with a highly favorable market, sales from yellow peaches alone are expected to reach 1.5 million yuan, reflecting strong confidence in the harvest.
The thriving specialty industry has also created a platform for local villagers to increase their income and find employment near their homes. Positions such as daily orchard maintenance, peak-season picking, and fruit sorting continue to attract nearby farmers, allowing villagers to secure stable income without having to leave their hometowns. "The orchard requires year-round labor, and the picking season demands even more workers. It helps provide employment for many surrounding villagers, allowing them to earn several thousand yuan a month steadily by working near home," Li Wenchen added.
One peach nurtures a season of harvest and supports a local industry. Today, Xintan Town is leveraging the peach orchard as a foundation to explore a new path of integrated development between "planting and cultural tourism," planning to launch agri-tourism experience projects featuring spring flower viewing and autumn fruit picking to attract visitors from surrounding areas, promoting the coordinated growth of agriculture and rural tourism. These "golden fruits" continue to unlock greater potential, injecting a steady stream of "sweet momentum" into the revitalization of the rural industry.