The agricultural landscape of Shangrao in Jiangxi province is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by the booming Majia pomelo industry that’s reversing urban migration patterns. Young professionals are abandoning city careers to embrace farming opportunities, creating an unexpected rural revitalization movement.
Ning Bo and Feng Qiuyan exemplify this trend, having left their positions in Hangzhou to establish a pomelo orchard in Guangfeng district. Their innovative approach combines traditional cultivation with modern entrepreneurship, developing unique products like pomelo-infused coffee and planning agritourism ventures. Their farm features a café nestled among pomelo trees, where the aroma of coffee blends with citrus scents.
This homecoming movement addresses multiple challenges simultaneously—career satisfaction, family proximity, and rural economic development. “We wanted to solve our employment problem while being close to home,” Feng explained, noting how the pomelo’s excellent qualities presented a business opportunity despite its limited recognition outside the region.
The technological transformation of pomelo farming is equally impressive. Smart orchards now utilize drones for spraying and automated track systems for transportation. Li Yufu, a transport worker, reported production increases from 500 to 750 metric tons following implementation of these systems. The technological advancements create substantial employment, with 40-50 villagers employed during harvest seasons and year-round workers earning over 30,000 yuan annually.
Post-harvest processing has evolved significantly with precision grading centers that measure size, weight, and sugar content to ensure consistent quality. Intelligent sorting processed 28,500 tons last year, representing approximately 30% of total output, with graded fruit commanding a 22% price premium.
The scale of the industry is substantial: 13,333 hectares of planting area, annual output of 250,000 tons, and comprehensive output value exceeding 3 billion yuan. According to Gong Zhenzhou, Party secretary of Guangfeng, the pomelo industry has generated 115,000 jobs and increased incomes for over 50,000 fruit growers.
The global reach continues expanding through enterprises like Jiangxi Fengguang Biotechnology, which exports to European and Asian markets including Italy, UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Last year’s exports reached nearly 2,500 tons, including 100 tons to the UK alone.
This agricultural success story represents a multifaceted approach to rural development, combining technological innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and global market access to create sustainable prosperity in China’s countryside.