As the Dragon Boat Festival nears, farmers in Yashipu Village, Hainan Province, are harvesting fragrant zongzi leaves – a humble ingredient with outsized economic impact. Known as the "Zongzi Leaf Village," the community has turned its tropical climate and innovative farming techniques into a thriving industry.
Villagers cultivate 45 hectares of zongzi leaves beneath rubber trees, yielding six million leaves annually. The leaves’ flexibility, rich aroma, and large size make them highly sought after, particularly during peak festival season. Local farmer Chen Wei explains: "Ten years ago, we barely made ends meet. Now, our average income has grown six times. These leaves have rewritten our future."
This agricultural success story highlights how rural communities are leveraging traditional crops for modern economic gains. With year-round demand extending beyond festival periods, Yashipu’s model offers insights into sustainable rural development across Asia.
