Farmers in various parts of Jiangsu province have been kept busy since the start of spring by attending to crops and fruit trees. Let’s take a close look.

At the kiwifruit planting base in Suyu District, Suqian City, kiwifruit buds have begun to bloom under the tender green leaves.

(资料图片仅供参考)

Taking advantage of the sunny weather, the fruit farmers were rubbing the buds and hearts of kiwifruit trees and thinning the buds and flowers so as to prevent new branches from becoming too dense and consuming too much nutrients and ensure yield and quality.

“Thinning off a portion of the excess flower buds can save nutrients on the tree, which is more beneficial for the growth of the tree than starting thinning at the time of flowering,” said Ma Guangliang, an agricultural technician from Suyu District, Suqian City.

During the growth period, it is necessary to water, fertilize, spread buds, and thin flowers. Thinning flowers are delicate work that can only be operated manually. As a result, the Rural Work Bureau has organized technology volunteers to help and solve the urgent needs of the fruit farmers.

The town has planted 3000 mu of kiwifruit with 1000 mu to bear fruit this year, which is expected to promote the prosperity and income growth of the farmers.

The Jianfengyuan Bee Industry Professional Cooperative in Jurong County attracted swarms of buzzing bees with a large area of rapeseed flowers. More than 30 beehives were neatly arranged on an open space of the cooperative, and a strong and intoxicating aroma of honey wafted in the air.

“Look at this. It"s all pure natural honey, rapeseed honey. A box of bees can produce five or six catties of honey that’s for sure,” said Shu Jinbo, director of Professional Cooperation in Jianfengyuan Bee Industry, Xiashu Town, Jurong.

The season of blooming spring flowers is also the busiest and sweetest time of the year for beekeepers. Shu Jinbo said that the honey harvesting period starts in mid-March and continues until the end of early November.

The Jianfengyuan Bee Industry Professional Cooperative sells honey for 120 yuan per kilogram, and royal jelly for 200 yuan per kilogram.

Xiashu Town has helped 210 farmers increase their income by providing free bee breeding, technical guidance, and unified recycling of honey products.

At present, the cooperative raises over 20000 boxes of bees, with a sales revenue of over 10 million yuan last year, effectively promoting the income increase of local farmers.