In the pleasant April weather, with a gentle breeze blowing. In the Tea garden of the Pomegranate Seed Group in Naxian Village, New Comfort Town, Mengjiang County, old tea trees taller than a person are sprouting new green leaves. Tea farmers are seen climbing wooden scaffolds or pulling on Tree branches to pick the fresh buds.
Stepping into the home of Li Kang, a tea farmer in the Pomegranate Seed Group of Naxian Village, New Comfort Town, one is greeted by the aroma of tea. He is diligently inspecting every step of the Tea processing and production. Before long, freshly stir-fried Spring Tea is ready.
According to Li Kang, Naxian Village has tea trees over a hundred years old. However, due to a lack of business management concepts, the villagers operated independently without forming a united front, which prevented them from capitalizing on their valuable resource.
In 2022, Li Kang registered Mengjiang New Comfort Youzhi Tea Processing Factory, leasing more than 50 mu (approx. 33,333 square meters) of land with over 1,600 tea trees aged 80 years or older across two groups, Baiye Village and Pomegranate Seed Group. He invited experts with over 30 years of experience in producing Pu'er tea to teach tea-making techniques. The tea was well-received in the market and attracted many repeat customers. The factory produced 500 kilograms of tea in 2023, with an estimated output of 1,000 kilograms in 2024. Every year, it provides employment opportunities for over 20 local villagers near their homes.
In recent years, Naxian Village has based its development on the current state of the tea industry, considering the tea industry as a crucial driver for industrial revitalization. By integrating advantageous resources and developing collectively, the village has focused on building a local specialty brand and expanding sales channels to strengthen and grow the tea industry, leading to increased income and prosperity for its residents.
Author: Duan Wenxiong