Late August is kiwifruit harvest season in Qijiatan village, Taishan district, Tai'an. [Photo/Tai'an Daily]

Late August is kiwifruit harvest season in Qijiatan village, Taishan district, Tai'an, which has been growing kiwifruit for nearly 40 years. Through years of exploration, the village has made use of unique geographical advantages, turning the humble kiwifruit into a "fruit of prosperity and wealth".

"Our 'Taishan No 1' kiwifruit is a completely green and pollution-free product. The village has uniquely suitable soil, resulting in kiwifruit with thin skin, thick flesh, and a soft, sweet taste," explained Fan Cuifang, a local farmer.

The "Taishan No 1" kiwifruit is expected to mature and hit the market from late August to early September, with an annual yield of over 300,000 kilograms from more than 800 mu (53.33 hectares) of kiwi orchards.

"This year, the kiwifruit yield is expected to exceed 400,000 kilograms," said Li Feng, Party secretary of Qijiatan village.

"We hope that local villagers can succeed in growing and selling kiwifruit. Considering the expansion of the industry, we see tourism as a new driver of rural development," Li added.

In 2022, Qijiatan village established a high-standard kiwifruit modern industrial park covering more than 300 mu of farmland. By incorporating land and collective assets, the village has brought more than 130 kiwifruit growers into cooperative management.

Leveraging its natural resources, Qijiatan village has delved into cultural tourism, actively developing its leisure and vacation attractions and forest health projects and focusing on developing fruit picking gardens and rural life experience tours.

"Building upon the kiwifruit industry, we have expanded our rural tourism offerings with fruit picking routes. Qijiatan village currently offers rural homestays for rent, allowing visitors to experience rural farm life. Additionally, three farmhouse restaurants in the village offer visitors a taste of local cuisine," Li explained.