Benefits flow from river that nurtures

For more than 30 years, Zhang Zhichang, a 66-year-old resident of the village, has grown a special kind of orchid that is originally from the region, and he makes more than 120,000 yuan each year from growing them. He also grows and sells other species of plants for landscaping.

Zhang began planting orchids as a hobby, but gradually developed it into a business as the plant became more appreciated by the public.

"In the past, it was hard for me to make a living, as we merely depended on growing traditional crops such as corn and rice," Zhang said, adding that he had tried all kinds of livelihoods besides farming, including raising cattle, but still could barely afford his family expenses and the cost of school for his two sons.

Then, in the late 1980s, orchids became popular, and he found that growing them was more profitable than farming. "So I increased the scale to what it is now," he said.

According to village official Li Maosheng, 54, fruit and courtyard economies have grown considerably and are the major income sources for villagers. There are regular traders who visit the village to buy the villagers' products, whereas in the past, the households had to sell separately at local bazaars.

Li grows peaches and other economic plants on land he owns as well as rented land－a total of around 0.7 hectare－and makes more than 70,000 yuan per year for his family.

"Almost every household is involved. Growing economic plants can earn a lot more than growing traditional crops like corn," Li said.

More than 30 different plant species, such as walnut, peach and loquat, have been introduced to the village.

The local farmers' average annual income has surpassed 20,000 yuan, with more than 8,000 yuan from agriculture.

"We have very limited arable land, so we must make the most of it and plant things according to local circumstances," Li said.

Growing fruit trees is not only beneficial economically, but also ecologically, he said.

The mountains are greener, and the fruit trees can help maintain soil in the long run, he added.