Spice of life

As part of sustainable anti-poverty measures, local authorities continue to tap the economic and growth potential of harvesting the black cardamom, also known as caoguo, that adapt particularly well to the pristine, high-altitude environment of Dulongjiang. Measures to encourage and train villagers to harvest the herb are raking in impressive rewards.

In 2018, most village committees were involved in the crop, covering 4,500 hectares with output surpassing 1,000 tons and 7.4 million yuan, according to local officials. Income from harvesting black cardamom hit an annual average of about 2,700 yuan for each villager last year.

The township has also attracted investors to build a 48-ton cardamom-drying facility to help process and distribute the plant more efficiently.

Similar efforts are being made to promote the growth of acclaimed local food products like wild morels and beef from cattle that graze on the verdant slopes of the surrounding valleys.

"The villagers now have decent homes to live in. They have stable income streams. The next step is to expand those, through ecological tourism and other sustainable development sectors," said Yao Liwei, 35, deputy secretary of the township Party committee and head of its poverty work alleviation work. He was deployed from the county seat about five years ago.

"It's just as what President Xi said about green development, to build and maintain our home well, where 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets'," Yao said.

Chen Lu, 26, deputy head of the Xianjiudang village work team under Dulongjiang and a member of the political and legal committee of the county Party committee, helps keep track of the progress made by about 780 villagers following its alleviation from poverty.

Xianjiudang villagers harvest black cardamom from about 733 hectares, with every 0.067 hectare yielding several hundred kilograms of the herb that fetch up to 20 yuan for every kilogram, she said.

"It's not just the increased income that they get from growing the black cardamom and other crops," said Chen, who is from neighboring Sichuan province. "They now have access to medical care and facilities and the children have standard educational opportunities."

Township school principal Yang Siyang said the performance of his students has been improving along with the better living conditions and teaching environment.

The school caters to 758 students, mostly from the Derung group, up to junior high school, with major refurbishments in recent years that now include three-story classroom blocks on top of dining and dormitory areas. Its educators number more than 100, with teachers at an average age of 27.

The rate of its students graduating to attend senior high school grew from 16 percent in 2016 to 70 percent last year, winning accolades at the county level and beyond.

"As a model of poverty alleviation, we must allow our educational sector to shine. Our students' grades are rising year by year. We are also focusing on early education. We must help ensure that the Derung ethnic group succeeds," Yang said.

One of his students, Dong Shunan, 13, was grateful for the chance to transfer from a neighboring village three years ago. Modern teaching tools include computers used in classes at least twice a week and other interesting courses, Dong said.

"English is one of my favorite subjects," Dong said.