Chrysanthemum planting boosts Gangzhai villagers' income

A golden chrysanthemum plantation in Gangzhai village in Kaiyang county [Photo/Kaiyang Release]

Chrysanthemums cultivated in Gangzhai village in Gaozhai township, Kaiyang county recently entered harvest season.

Around 60 farmers are busy picking chrysanthemums and transporting them to a barn for baking.

Since last year, Gangzhai village has organized 500 mu (33.33 hectares) of scattered lands for the coordinated growing of edible golden chrysanthemums, which has promoted the adjustment of the local industrial structure and led to an employment and income increase for local residents.

The project provides around 10 long-term jobs every year and creates around 3,500 temporary jobs.

Villager Xu Qizhen is among those benefiting from the growing of chrysanthemums.

"I'm too old to work as a migrant worker, and my income at home was low," Xu said.

"Since we began growing chrysanthemums, local people have been employed to cultivate seedlings, transplant, manage and pick. I earned more than 100 yuan ($15) picking chrysanthemums yesterday," Xu added.

Due to its unique ornamental value and traditional Chinese medicine properties, the golden chrysanthemum has always been popular among consumers. 

Growing chrysanthemum can not only increase incomes for farmers, but also promote the development of local tourism, an authority of Gaozhai township said.

Next, Gaozhai will develop chrysanthemum growing into a high-efficiency industry integrating leisure and tourism, and further expand income channels for locals.