Fresh-cut flowers boost farmers' incomes in SW China's Yunnan

A worker harvests flowers at a modern flower industry park in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Yin Xin)

Workers are picking, sorting and packaging roses at a modern flower industry park in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, as the region enters its peak blooming season. Rows of flowers stretch across the fields, forming the heart of a rapidly growing industry that is transforming the local economy.

Located at an elevation of about 2,300 meters, Lijiang is well-suited for growing fresh-cut roses, thanks to more than 2,400 hours of sunshine annually, mild seasonal temperature changes, large day-to-night temperature differences and distinct wet and dry seasons.

In recent years, Lijiang's Gucheng district has embraced a model that combines large-scale industry, new types of businesses and innovative platforms, transforming its natural advantages into a thriving flower industry.

The park now has 350,000 square meters of smart greenhouses, with 340,000 square meters dedicated to roses and 10,000 square meters to colored calla lilies. Since opening in August 2020, the park has produced nearly 100 million fresh-cut flowers.

According to Zhang Lihui, head of industrial planning at the park, the flower industry has brought significant economic benefits to local farmers. They receive rental income through land transfers, with 13 million yuan ($1.85 million) paid to 142 households — covering 528 people — for the first 10-year period.

In addition, a community-established labor service company has created jobs for 300 people in park operations and development, with workers earning an average monthly income of 3,500 yuan.