In autumn, plump Chazhi tangerines (茶枝柑) hang from the branches at a plantation in Paitou Village, Lankou Town, Dongyuan County, Heyuan (河源东源县蓝口镇派头村). With flat terrain and fertile soil, the area shares similar natural conditions with Xinhui, a major production area for chenpi, or aged tangerine peel, making it well-suited to growing tangerines for chenpi production.
Lankou Town now has around 400 hectares of tangerine orchards in its villages, providing a foundation for the industry's growth.
In the past, local farmers mainly sold fresh fruit, with limited processing and storage facilities leaving them vulnerable to low prices and unsold produce. To address these gaps in the supply chain, the Lankou Chenpi Workshop was launched, integrating cultivation, harvesting, processing, storage and sales.
The workshop follows ecological farming practices, growing authentic Chazhi tangerines with manual weeding and organic fertilizers to ensure quality from the start. Its product range includes chenpi-infused black tea, citrus preserved in honey and citrus fruit wine.
The workshop creates local jobs. It employs 60 to 70 workers during peak harvesting and processing periods. To support local growers amid fresh fruit price fluctuations, the workshop purchases their produce at pre-agreed minimum prices, helping reduce unsold stocks and safeguard farmers' incomes. These measures give villagers greater confidence in growing Chazhi tangerines.
Author | He Fengyu
Photos | Nanfang Plus
