Amidst the rugged black volcanic rocks, clusters of dendrobium orchids flourish with vibrant greenery, radiating vitality. Tourists stream along the winding village paths, laughter fills the farmhouse restaurants, and tranquil homestays dot the serene courtyards. In Shicha Village of Shishan Town, Haikou City, a revitalizing scene of thriving industry, picturesque countryside, and prosperous farmers unfolds at the foot of the volcanic Ma’anling Ridge.
**Turning "Pain Points" into Growth Opportunities** Few could imagine that the now-vibrant Shicha Village was once plagued by poverty due to its rocky terrain. "Over 20,000 acres of land here were more than 90% covered by thick volcanic rock. 'Little soil, endless stones, barren hills piled with rubble'—that was our reality," recalls Wang Lüzhou, a member of the Shicha Village Party Committee. The rocky ground couldn’t retain water, making traditional farming impossible, leaving villagers resigned to their stony fate.
Rural revitalization hinges on industry, and industry thrives on uniqueness. In their search for solutions, villagers discovered that the porous, selenium-rich volcanic rocks were ideal for cultivating the prized medicinal herb dendrobium. The orchids, which grow attached to rocks, could potentially yield higher quality due to the minerals in the volcanic substrate.
With a clear direction, the village mobilized trial planting. Initially hesitant, villagers were persuaded when local Party members led by investing their land. In 2015, the Haikou Shicha Dendrobium Planting Cooperative was established, pioneering a new path. By 2016, a 200-acre volcanic dendrobium garden was operational.
"Tests show our volcanic dendrobium’s core medicinal components exceed national standards by 1.5 times, with added trace elements like selenium, giving it exceptional economic value," noted Yu Xiao, a researcher from Hainan Shengrong Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a key enterprise in the project.
The cooperative’s first-year revenue of hundreds of thousands of yuan ignited hope. Villagers joined as shareholders, and dendrobium seedlings took root in what was once "barren rock."
**A Specialty Industry Fills Villagers’ Pockets** With dendrobium thriving, Shicha Village focused on expanding its value chain. Adopting a "leading enterprise + cooperative + farmers + collective" model, the village integrated high-tech firms to build a full industry chain—from seedling cultivation and eco-farming to processing and sales.
Leveraging the Hainan Free Trade Port’s development, the village scaled up its dendrobium industry, transforming it from a "potted plant" into a "forest and landscape." By revitalizing barren and rocky land, cultivation expanded from 200 acres to 1,508.6 acres, forming an integrated chain spanning research, production, and sales. In 2024, the industry’s total output hit 130 million yuan, with products exported to Southeast Asia.
The boom directly enriched villagers. Su Limei, in her 50s, contributed her rocky land to the cooperative while working as a salesperson at the dendrobium garden. "Now I earn 3,000 yuan monthly plus year-end dividends—life is stable and promising," she smiles. Many like her have found employment "at their doorstep," with per capita annual income soaring from 14,000 yuan in 2017 to 36,000 yuan in 2024.
"Dendrobium has injected sustainable vitality into our village," says Wang Lüzhou. "Once poor because of stones, now prosperous because of them."
**Integrated Development Paints a New Rural Vision** The dendrobium industry has stirred a wave of revitalization. Capitalizing on its proximity to the Haikou Shishan Volcanic Cluster National Geopark, Shicha Village developed a 20-kilometer volcanic-themed tourism route linking eight natural villages, volcanic craters, ancient ruins, and caves.
"Business is so busy, we need extra hands during holidays," says Hong Qiang, 30, who quit his city job to open the Kuolin Farmhouse, featuring volcanic-style architecture and dendrobium-infused cuisine. Over 30 young people like him have returned to start businesses, infusing the village with fresh energy.
The industry also attracts outsiders. The village diversified by founding a training company, using the dendrobium garden as a live classroom, hosting 10,000+ trainees annually while boosting collective income. Other specialties like premium volcanic lychees further enriched the local economy.
Once barren, the volcanic rocks now nurture hope. "We’re planning the Hainan Dendrobium Processing and Trading Center to deepen R&D and climb the value chain," shares Wang Lüzhou. With Hainan’s free trade policies, Shicha Village aims to elevate its dendrobium industry and refine rural tourism, ensuring the "flowers of happiness" bloom ever brighter on volcanic rock.
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