Township achieves prosperity by growing cash trees

A farmer harvests Torreya grandis in Xinhe township, Tonglu county, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This year's first batch of roasted Torreya grandis produced from Xinhe township, Tonglu county, East China's Zhejiang province hit the market recently.

Torreya grandis is renowned for its aroma and is dubbed the "Chanel" of all nuts due to its high value.

It usually takes about 10 years for the cash tree to bear fruits, and the process of transforming these fruits into nuts is also incredibly laborious, according to Zhong Zaorong, president of Tonglu Feiliuxiang Agricultural Development Co Ltd.

Based in Xinhe township, the company has sold 250 kilograms of roasted Torreya grandis so far this year.

About 20 cash trees are planted in one mu (0.06 hectares) of land, and fruits of each tree can generate thousands of yuan in income.

Torreya grandis's plantation area in Xinhe township has climbed to nearly 4,000 mu in the past 10 years. A grower can earn 30,000 yuan ($4,615.38) to 50,000 yuan in annual income by cooperating with companies and cooperatives, official data show.

Farmers process Torreya grandis in Xinhe township, Tonglu county, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Farmers process Torreya grandis in Xinhe township, Tonglu county, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]