Golden chrysanthemum harvest means more income for Hubei farmers
Farmers at a village in Xiangyang city, Hubei province are busy harvesting golden chrysanthemum flowers these days.
Expanding across 2.7 hectares of land at Dawuchang village, Baokang county, the fully blooming chrysanthemums present a beautiful golden harvest.
With two years' experience planting chrysanthemum blooms, farmers at the village have mastered the skills of planting, picking and roasting the flower.
"It takes five days and nights to dry the flowers. And we need to roast the flowers with proper temperature to maintain the dry flowers in the golden color," said Ma Tianfu, an experienced chrysanthemum grower.
The output of fresh chrysanthemums is expected to reach 1,750 kilograms this year. Sales from the flowers are expected to bring in a combined income of 120,000 yuan ($18,749) to over 50 families in the village, according to the farmers.
"We will expand the chrysanthemum planting area next year to develop the flower into a sector that can create more income to our people," said Dong Xiucui, the Party secretary of the village.
