A farmer collects Cili fruits in Gujiao Town of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
GUIYANG, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Autumn is the season to harvest Cili.
Cili (Rosa roxburghii), meaning "thorn pear" in Chinese, is a yellowish, spiny fruit renowned for its rich vitamin C content and various nutritional benefits.
Cili fruits are pictured in Chaxiang Village of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
This distinctive fruit is a hallmark produce of the mountainous regions in southwest China's Guizhou.
Currently, the Cili production stands as a key driver in promoting rural revitalization in Longli County, Guizhou Province.
This aerial photo taken on Aug. 18, 2021 shows workers loading Cili fruits onto a truck in Taishang Village of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Farmers collect Cili fruits in Chaxiang Village of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
A farmer collects Cili fruits in Chaxiang Village of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
The county's Cili cultivation area has expanded to 105,000 mu (7,000 hectares), yielding an annual output of 16,000 tons of fresh fruit.
The comprehensive output value exceeds 400 million yuan (approximately 54.87 million U.S. dollars), significantly contributing to the income growth of the over 8,000 local farmers.
A worker slices Cili fruits in Chaxiang Village of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 8, 2023. (Photo by Wang Lixin/Xinhua)
A worker checks the turbidity and sugar content of Cili at a Cili processing company in Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
This photo taken on Aug. 18, 2021 shows farmers load newly collected Cili fruits onto a truck in Taishang Village of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
A worker washes Cili fruit slices in Gujiao Town of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
A farmer dries preserved Cili fruits at a cooperative in Chaxiang Village of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
A worker washes Cili fruit slices in Gujiao Town of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
This photo taken on Aug. 18, 2021 shows a Cili planting area in Gujiao Town of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
A worker selects Cili fruit at a Cili processing company in Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 23, 2018. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Farmers collect Cili fruits in Gujiao Town of Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Meanwhile in the semi-arid parts of Mexico, another kind of throny fruit also brings profits to local farmers.
Prickly pear cacti are pictured in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Aug. 3, 2023. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
The prickly pear cactus is a plant that bears fruit featuring thorns all over and a juicy texture with refreshing taste.
Prickly pears are pictured in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Aug. 3, 2023. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
A farmer peels a prickly pear in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Aug. 3, 2023. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2023 shows local cuisine made of prickly pears in Teotihuacan, Mexico. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
Thriving in the arid highlands of Mexico, this cactus requires minimal water and pesticides for cultivation.
The planting of these fruits not only contributes to local ecological management but also serves as a source of increased income for the community.
Prickly pear cacti are pictured in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Aug. 3, 2023. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
An agricultural expert shows prickly pears in different colors in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Aug. 3, 2023. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
This aerial photo taken on Aug. 3, 2023 shows a plantation of prickly pears in Teotihuacan, Mexico. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
Prickly pear cacti are pictured in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Aug. 3, 2023. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
Planners: Wang Jianhua, Wang Li & Zhao Kai
Coordinators: Wu Wei, Zhang Weige & Wang Qingqin
Photographers: Yang Wenbin, Wang Lixin & Francisco Canedo
Editors: Geng Xinning, Li Mangmang, Sun Xiaotian, Zhang Haofu, Wang Jingqiang, Chen Liqun, Sun Ruibo, Zhang Chencen, Jin Mamengni & Lin Fanjing■
