As the harvest season arrives, bayberry plantations across Cengong County in Guizhou Province are yielding abundant crops. By capitalizing on the region's mountainous terrain and adopting a business model that integrates agri-tourism, online promotions, and bulk sales, the once-wild mountain fruit has evolved into a thriving "sweet industry" that bolsters local incomes and injects fresh energy into rural revitalization.

At the plantation in Heping Village, Dayou Town, plump bayberry clusters weigh down the vines, drawing numerous tourists to the farm for a hands-on picking experience. Known locally as "August Burst" and referred to as "Yuzhizi" in traditional Chinese medicine, bayberries originally flourished deep within the wilderness. Renowned for their properties that aid digestion and improve blood circulation, they are a health-boosting fruit suitable for all ages, serving both culinary and medicinal purposes.

Bayberries are hardy, tolerating both cold and drought, and exhibit strong resistance to pests and diseases. A single planting yields stable harvests for many years with minimal ongoing upkeep, making them an ideal sideline crop for farmers. This allows growers to manage their primary agricultural work alongside this supplemental venture, achieving dual income streams.

The plantations employ a tiered sales strategy: fully ripened fruits are set aside for on-site picking by visitors, while those at 80% to 90% maturity are targeted for off-site wholesale markets. Growers are also expanding their reach through short-video platforms to attract online customers and broaden sales channels. Through these initiatives, the modest bayberry is making efficient use of mountain resources and continuously driving rural prosperity.