“Daddy, the fruits are ripe!” “Let’s go taste them and see if they’re sweet!” Recently, at a tropical fruit farm in Zhugao Town, Jintang County, Chengdu, a variety of tropical fruits like king bananas, papayas, passion fruits, and dragon fruits hung from the branches. Li Deping, the farm’s owner, was there picking fruits alongside his 6-year-old daughter.
Li, a native of Zhugao Town, previously worked in the clothing trade in Chengdu. In 2019, he and his wife returned to their hometown, transforming a vacant area in the village into a farm dedicated to growing dragon fruits, which his daughter loves. Starting with just one variety, they have now expanded to eight. They’ve also introduced papayas, passion fruits, king bananas, and sugar apples, creating this lush tropical fruit farm from scratch.
“These are all fruits that kids love. We ensure a fresh supply every season,” Li shared. At the farm, dragon fruits are nearing harvest while passion fruits are ready for picking. The fruits are plump and vibrant; when you slice open the golden flesh, the sweet, aromatic juice flows out, making them irresistible.
Chengdu has a subtropical monsoon climate, and the winter’s low temperatures pose significant challenges for growing tropical fruits. To tackle this, Li chose a site on elevated land in the village that avoids waterlogging and maintains ample sunlight, increasing the chances for successful cultivation. To counter the climate differences between local and southern regions, he built greenhouses to help protect the fruit trees during winter, effectively mitigating the cold’s impact on growth. He also insists on using organic fertilizers to enhance fruit quality.
Li sees two main advantages in his operation: the longer growth cycle and a closer consumer market. “A longer growth cycle reduces the time from branch to table, resulting in better texture and fresher fruits,” he explained. For instance, dragon fruits in tropical areas typically mature 45 days after flowering and are then transported elsewhere. However, Li’s fruits take about ten additional days to ripen, which significantly enhances their color and sugar content. Since he is rooted in Chengdu, the dragon fruits picked in the morning reach consumers by the afternoon, selling at around 100 yuan per kilogram.
By adhering to organic farming principles, Li’s tropical fruits have garnered a strong reputation. Regular customer Liu Weining drives a considerable distance to personally select and harvest fruit. “I truly value the natural quality of the fruits here. Witnessing the entire picking process gives me peace of mind when I eat,” he remarked.
As Li watches his farm grow, he feels an immense sense of accomplishment. Yet, what brings him the most joy is that his daughter’s childhood is intricately linked with the farm. Through this experience, she actively participates in planting and learns the lesson that “you reap what you sow.”
Looking ahead, Li is working on an expansion project to cultivate even more high-quality tropical fruits. “We plan to expand by 100 acres and can accommodate up to 500 students for experiential learning, allowing more children to engage with farming life,” he said excitedly.
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