Farmers pick fresh longan in Baiyun district. [Photo by Shi Jianhua/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

Since it is home to a 467-acre longan plantation that is primarily dispersed across Zhongluotan, Taihe, and Renren towns in Guangzhou's Baiyun district are currently witnessing a longan harvest, local media outlets reported on July 31. 

Shixia longan, the most prevalent kind of longan in Baiyun, is anticipated to produce close to 3 million kilograms this year, with a selling price of between 14 and 16 yuan ($2) per kg. 

The longan's peak picking season is from late July to early August, when it begins to ripen heavily. 

According to Wan Fan, head director of the Baiyun agricultural technology and equipment guidance center, the rainy season caused a decline in this year's longan crop yield compared to previous year.

The center has taken multiple measures to improve the quality and production of longan, such as promoting organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers as well as organizing a team to offer technical consulting, guidance and follow-up services for farmers.

In order to ensure that consumers can taste Baiyun's fresh and delectable longans, Baiyun will also carry out the construction of field cold storage based on actual conditions, promoting the development of cold chain warehousing and logistics as well as enhancing the pre-cooling capacity of fresh longan origins.