“Planting crisp plums has lifted us out of poverty, and also helps me realize my children’s dream of going to Chongqing University. The elder one even became a graduate student.” On March 31, Li Jiqiong, a previously poverty-stricken resident in Quanfa Village, Quchi Township, Wushan County, sat in her backyard and talked about her plum trees with a bright smile. The total income from her plum trees now tops 100,000 yuan a year.

The couples are tending the orchard. Photo by Ju Zhiqin.

Two sons able to go to university thanks crisp plums

The tuition fee for two university students per semester is nearly ten thousand yuan, and the monthly living expenses 3,000 or 4,000 yuan. That is too much for Li Jiqiong and her husband.

“We are grateful to the government for its help.” In 2014, Li Jiqiong’s household was identified as impoverished before the government helped them with the student loans and subsidized their living expenses. To Li, however, “It is not honorable to be a poor household.”

Li and her husband know that they can only get rid of poverty on their own but not know what to do. Migration for work is not possible for they are above 40 years old with no skills, and have parents to take care of.

The planting of crisp plum trees has a history of over 1,000 years in the hills and valleys along the Yangtze River in Wushan. By 2014, the plums had become the pillar agricultural industry with significant benefits in the county and saw an area of around 35km², thanks to which many local farmers have increased their income.

“Let’s go back home and grow crispy plums!” In 2015, Li Jiqiong and her husband returned to their hometown and tended the crisp plum trees on their property. They busied themselves around in the orchard every day from 6 a.m., and, after a quick lunch at home, would work from 1 p.m. to the dusk. 

Ignorant of related techniques, they attended the training courses held by the government. Also, they received saplings in need for free from the government. In 2015, Li sold their plums for 50,000 yuan, and the household thus went above the poverty line. 

The couple became increasingly good at planting, and the plum trees more luxuriant. The price of crisp plums has also risen from 4 yuan to 30 yuan per kilogram. With the income on the rise, the couple has stopped worrying about their children’s tuition fees. 

“An exemplar of doers in shaking off poverty.”

In 2018, the elder son graduated from university. He was in a dilemma about pursuing graduate studies or starting to work. He said that graduate school was a dream, but he wanted to get a job for the sake of his parents to relieve the burden on his family.

“Go get it if you want,” Li Jiqiong thus reassured her son. Due to the promising market for plums, the household income would increase with the planting scale and afford the two children’s spending. “Just go for it. Don’t worry about us.”

Encouraged by his parents, the elder son was admitted to graduate school. Li Jiqiong and her husband took over the unused land and orchards from other family members as migrant workers. The planting area reached about 14,000m², and their income was getting higher. 

“Good price for good quality.” Li Jiqiong started to carry out the refined management of crisp plums. She followed the expert’s guidance in terms of the use of insecticide, disease treatment, the use of fertilizer, and watering. “We should adopt a scientific approach and care about the environment.”

Their crisp plums, unpicked yet, were already ordered by traders for the high quality. Last year, they generated more than 100,000 yuan, with an average price of 30 yuan per kilogram. Li Jiqiong expects a higher income as the rest of the trees bear fruit.