Yichang farmers defy expectations by growing pineapples and raising saltwater eels inland
2025-03-14 19:03:48
By Ma Yuanchen.
"They said it couldn't be done," said Li Guoqi, recalling the early days when he was told growing pineapples in Yichang was impossible. “‘China's pineapples come from Guangdong,’ they'd say." But Li, who has decades of experience in the fruit business, was determined to prove them wrong.
In 2021, Li and his wife Xie Hongyu returned to their hometown in Yuan’an and started a fruit farm. The challenge was significant: Yichang has an average annual temperature of only 16℃, far from ideal for growing pineapples.
The soil also posed a major obstacle, as it was too acidic. Li spent months on soil modification based on the lab's recommendations before feeling confident enough to plant his first pineapple seedlings.
Three years later, Li's persistence paid off. His pineapple farm is thriving, producing over 4 tons of pineapples per acre.
<caption> Farmer harvesting pineapples in Gaolou village in Yuan’an.
<caption> Ostrich farm in Yiling District.
"They said it couldn't be done," said Li Guoqi, recalling the early days when he was told growing pineapples in Yichang was impossible. “‘China's pineapples come from Guangdong,’ they'd say." But Li, who has decades of experience in the fruit business, was determined to prove them wrong.
In 2021, Li and his wife Xie Hongyu returned to their hometown in Yuan’an and started a fruit farm. The challenge was significant: Yichang has an average annual temperature of only 16℃, far from ideal for growing pineapples.
The soil also posed a major obstacle, as it was too acidic. Li spent months on soil modification based on the lab's recommendations before feeling confident enough to plant his first pineapple seedlings.
Three years later, Li's persistence paid off. His pineapple farm is thriving, producing over 4 tons of pineapples per acre.
<caption> Farmer harvesting pineapples in Gaolou village in Yuan’an.Elsewhere in Yuan’an, Wu Jinliang is achieving his own agricultural breakthrough: raising saltwater eels inland.
Wu’s team shipped water samples to Fujian to test eel fry in different conditions, gradually reducing the salinity to acclimate the eels to freshwater.
He also utilizes technology to maintain optimal conditions for the eels. His facility is equipped with a smart aquaculture system that monitors and automatically adjusts water temperature, quality, and oxygen levels in real-time.
These are just two examples of how farmers in Yichang are pushing the boundaries of agriculture. In other parts of the city, farmers are also raising ostriches and cultivating South American prawns.
Wu’s team shipped water samples to Fujian to test eel fry in different conditions, gradually reducing the salinity to acclimate the eels to freshwater.
He also utilizes technology to maintain optimal conditions for the eels. His facility is equipped with a smart aquaculture system that monitors and automatically adjusts water temperature, quality, and oxygen levels in real-time.
These are just two examples of how farmers in Yichang are pushing the boundaries of agriculture. In other parts of the city, farmers are also raising ostriches and cultivating South American prawns.
<caption> Ostrich farm in Yiling District.Tech innovation drives every link of the agricultural chain. Smart aquaculture systems fine-tune eel habitats in real time, while Douyin livestreams turn viewers into buyers. The ostrich brand exemplifies commercial savvy, supported by government-research alliances tackling technical hurdles—from water purification to equipment modernization.
Over 200 households have joined, boosting local incomes. By combining science and creativity, Yichang is proving that unconventional agriculture can thrive inland, offering new opportunities for rural development. As Li Guoqi says, "The soil said ‘no’, but science said ‘yes’."
Over 200 households have joined, boosting local incomes. By combining science and creativity, Yichang is proving that unconventional agriculture can thrive inland, offering new opportunities for rural development. As Li Guoqi says, "The soil said ‘no’, but science said ‘yes’."
