In the early autumn of the Zhaolu Basin, red apples hang heavy from the branches, with a refreshing fruit fragrance drifting through the air. In Xiaozha Village, Yongfeng Town, Zhaoyang District, a network of hardened roads now winds through the apple orchards, linking the contiguous plantations with the village. Along the newly built cement roads, orchard workers are busy picking, sorting, and loading—a vibrant scene of harvest prosperity.
Apples no longer lose value from bumpy rides.
At 10 a.m., fruit farmer Zhu Minghua has already been busy in the orchard for over an hour, sweat beading on his forehead while a satisfied smile spreads across his face. "The roads used to be terrible, and the apples got bruised during transport, so they lost their appeal and couldn't fetch good prices. Now that the roads are fixed, buyers drive their trucks right to the field, and I get two more mao per jin," he says. Having grown apples for over a decade, he has experienced firsthand the development constraints caused by poor road conditions.
Xiaozha Village sits in the heart of the Zhaolu Basin, with 12,000 mu of apple orchards forming a continuous stretch. For years, however, the narrow dirt paths—barely three meters wide—were a persistent headache for the orchard farmers. Large trucks couldn't access the area, and small tricycles would jostle the apples, leaving them bruised and fetching lower prices at market. The turning point came this spring when Yongfeng Town secured 7.13 million yuan in central government funds for work-relief programs, initiating a 10.18-kilometer industrial road renovation. This new road not only connects all 10 village groups but also ties the 1,500 mu of core orchards into a complete network, thoroughly solving the agricultural transportation dilemma. Behind Zhu Minghua, more than 60 villagers are busy mixing cement, paving surfaces, and breaking stones, with the roar of excavators breaking the village's usual calm. "We must finish this section before the late-season apples ripen, or the transport will cause damage again," Zhu says as he joins the construction crew.
The benefits of the improved roads extend well beyond the price of apples. Small farm machinery and agricultural tricycles can now drive directly into the orchards, making fertilization, pesticide application, and harvesting far more efficient. Villagers no longer deal with the dusty or muddy paths of the past; children's commute to school and elderly residents' trips to the doctor have become safer and more convenient.
Local jobs on the doorstep.
The industrial road project has not only secured better prices for apples but has also created fresh income opportunities for villagers during construction. Zhu Fengxiang, a resident from Group Three, wipes sweat from his brow as his trowel smooths cement over stones: "Working as a mason earns me 250 yuan a day, which is better than commuting to the city for work, and I can still tend to my 3 mu of apple orchard." At a nearby site, Ye Huixiang, a villager with a disability, works swiftly moving earth. Unable to handle heavy physical labor, he was prioritized for a lighter auxiliary role at 200 yuan a day. "No need to travel far; I can earn money at my doorstep while taking care of my orchard. It adds an extra 5,000 to 6,000 yuan to my annual income." This specially designed light-duty position is one of the targeted support measures the village has arranged for individuals with special needs. During the project's implementation, the village party committee set up scientific job classifications with differentiated wages: general laborers earn an average of 150 yuan daily; technical roles such as concrete workers and stone support framers earn 240 to 250 yuan per day; and for unemployed college graduates, dedicated clerical positions have been created with a daily wage of 200 yuan. The project plans to distribute 3 million yuan in labor compensation, accounting for 42.08% of the central special funds. According to village party secretary Jiang Xiangang, the project has already driven 309 local villagers to employment near their homes, with an average of 60 to 70 workers on site daily and around 50 regular full-time positions. On peak days, up to 15 disabled workers are employed simultaneously, effectively resolving the dilemma villagers faced between seeking work outside and caring for their families.
New momentum for agriculture-tourism integration.
The completion of the industrial road is also unlocking fresh opportunities for diversified industrial growth in the village. Villager Yan Jiao manages 4 mu of watermelons and strawberries. In the past, rough roads meant damaged produce sold at a loss in the market; now, with smoother paths, merchants drive directly to the fields to buy. She earned an extra 3,000 yuan just from watermelon sales this year. The leveled, accessible roads have also paved the way for new ventures like pick-your-own tourism, summer retreats, and livestream e-commerce. On weekends, tourists drive in from nearby cities to pick apples and stay in countryside homestays. "We're pushing the road construction forward while understanding the villagers' labor needs—stabilizing jobs, guaranteeing wages, and ensuring quality. We must build this work-relief livelihood project into everyone's road to industry, income, and happiness," says Jiang Xiangang.
This 10.18-kilometer industrial road addresses the infrastructure shortcomings, but more importantly, it underpins the village's confidence in increasing income and prosperity for all residents. As the remaining sections are fully completed, it will continue to release more benefits for the people, guiding Xiaozha Village steadily forward on the path of rural revitalization.
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