Tea-picking landscape at the Cloud Mountain Tea Sea.

Tea farmers picking tea in the plantation.

The tea planting base.

The first Spring Tea harvest on site.

The spring tea thrives, layer upon layer of tea terraces picturesque.

The spring tea thrives, layer upon layer of tea terraces picturesque.

In mid-spring, as the weather warms up, tea plantations across towns and townships in Kaiyang County are sprouting green shoots, presenting a scene of vibrant life. To ensure the first batch of spring tea is harvested efficiently and to maintain the quality of the leaves, managers of various tea bases and tea farmers are working at full speed. Hundreds of tea farmers shuttle through the plantation, harvesting their “first pot of gold” of the season.

Enhancing Training to Improve Professional Skills

In mid-spring, with warmer temperatures, entering the tea plantation of Guixin Maoyuan Agricultural Company, one is greeted by the aroma of tea. Rows of tea trees are lush and vibrant, their tender shoots bright green after rain showers. Agricultural technicians and tea farmers move between the tea plants, picking the season's first flush, seizing the opportunity for the spring tea harvest.

In recent years, Mao Yun Township in Kaiyang County has actively cultivated and developed special industries, explored deep processing of products, strengthened market competitiveness, and built a “one village, one product” specialty industry to boost local farmers' income and prosperity.

To optimize tea-picking techniques, pre-job training is provided to those who will be picking the spring tea, improving their skills to prevent improper handling that could affect the quality of the tea leaves. “To pick the tea leaves, use your fingers to grasp the tender shoot and gently lift it off; this ensures even force application and prevents damage to the appearance of the leaf,” explained the director of the township's agricultural service center. Currently, over 100 tea pickers are employed, covering a plantation area of more than 2,500 mu (approx. 167 hectares).

To optimize tea production techniques, experts from the city level are invited to impart professional knowledge, enhancing the tea-making technology of Guixin Maoyuan. Early planning and optimized production aim to capture the first batch of the spring tea market. So far, eight specialized meetings and technical training sessions have been held. Freshly picked single buds are purchased for approximately 60 yuan per catty (approx. 0.5 kg), while finished spring tea sells for 1,200 yuan per catty.

“Picking tea at the plantation, I can earn about 150 yuan per day on average. Plus, I can take care of my elderly family members and my children's education, which is much better than working in Zhejiang or Guangdong,” said Aunt Zhang, a tea picker.

Tailored Approaches to Boost Farmers' Income and Prosperity

At Lan Zhi Tea Plantation in Tiankan Village, Nanlong Township, rows of tea plants are sprouting green shoots, presenting a vibrant scene. Wearing hats and carrying baskets, tea farmers scatter throughout the lush tea mountains, skillfully picking fresh Green Tea leaves. The plantation presents a picture of bountiful harvest.

Pre-Qingming tea is as precious as gold. Li Lan, manager of Guizhou Kaiyang Lan Zhi Tea Co., Ltd., told reporters that they are currently picking spring tea, which started in late March and continues until Qingming Festival. During the spring tea picking period, each catty picked earns 50 yuan, and a picker can typically harvest two or three catties a day, earning around 100 yuan daily. The plantation requires substantial labor for tea picking, processing, and maintenance, providing employment opportunities for locals, effectively boosting their income while ensuring the tea company secures the best quality pre-Qingming tea, reaping the first basket of the “tea economy.”

“I've been picking tea here for several years. Each year, I earn nearly 10,000 yuan, allowing me to balance work and family life right here at home,” said tea farmer Zhang Xiaojue, her face breaking into a smile.

“Nanlong Township leverages its unique advantages of high altitude, low latitude, abundant cloud cover, and sparse sunlight to vigorously develop its tea industry. Currently, it has 29,000 mu (approx. 1,933 hectares) of tea plantations, with 15,000 mu (approx. 1,000 hectares) in full production. The picked spring tea features white downy hairs, an aesthetically pleasing shape, pale green color, upright leaves like post-rain shoots, a fragrant and mellow flavor, and a refreshing and moist mouthfeel,” commented a relevant official from Nanlong Township.

Land Leasing for Thriving Industries

“The quality of this year's tea is better than last year's. Judging from current market demand, we've already received some tea orders, indicating a ‘supply cannot meet demand' situation.” Local villager Mu Chenghong, moving through his tea plantation, watched as the tea plants sprouted tender green shoots, his face filled with the joy of a bountiful harvest.

According to Mu Chenghong, to quickly pick high-quality tender shoots, the plantation organized over 200 nearby villagers to pick tea in the base, enabling them to increase their income while also taking care of their families. On the first day of picking, the plantation paid out around 20,000 yuan in tea-picking wages.

Leveraging its rich natural resources and favorable environment for tea growth, in recent years, Gaozhai Township in Kaiyang County has prioritized the tea industry as a pillar for increasing villagers' income, effectively connecting brand building with large-scale production. It has actively constructed modern agricultural tea parks, achieving initial success. This year, the township has 7,300 mu (approx. 487 hectares) of tea plantations, with an estimated annual output of over 70 tons and an annual value of over 10 million yuan, capable of boosting the income and prosperity of over 500 people in surrounding areas.

Lei Chengjun, a villager from Jiuchang Village in Gaozhai Township, leased his land for tea tree cultivation and both he and his wife became permanent workers at the plantation, bringing a significant income to his household. “Today, I picked over three catties of single buds. I earn almost 200 yuan a day. I feel it's much better than growing corn!” Lei Chengjun shared his tea-picking income happily while picking tea.

The bustling spring tea picking scene in Jiuchang Village is just a snapshot of the “pre-Qingming tea” picking in Gaozhai Township.

Currently, in tea-producing villages such as Gangzhai Village, Guyi Village, and Gaozhai Village, there is similarly a lively scene of spring tea picking.

“I'm too old to find work elsewhere. Here, I can earn at least 100 yuan a day picking tea, and the tea factory provides free transportation. I'd be idle at home anyway, so it's great to have the chance to earn some extra money!” said villager Huang Zhixian cheerfully. Most of the workers here are local villagers. Tea farmers can exchange their picked tea for cash on the same day, and everyone feels reassured. (Photos and Text