When it comes to chilis, Guizhou is king

A modern chili industry park in Xiazi town. [Photo by publicity department of Zunyi city/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To date, the planting area in Guizhou province exceeds 332,000 hectares, accounting for approximately one-sixth of the country's chili growing area and one 10th of the world's.

More than 2.85 million farmers have benefited from the industry. Of those, more than 650,000 who had lived below the poverty line have all escaped poverty, with per capita incomes increasing by more than 2,000 yuan.

Guizhou has a three-year plan to promote the rapid development of the chili industry from through 2021. Under the plan, by next year the province's chili planting area will stabilize, with annual production of 6.5 million tons valued at 23 billion yuan. Revenues are expected to exceed 80 billion yuan.

Zhao Yandi contributed to this story.