A farmer of Gujin village in the Luocheng Mulao autonomous county picks downy grapes on Aug 18. [Photo by Xie Shunheng/publicity department of Luocheng county committee]

The efforts by Luocheng Mulao autonomous county in Hechi, Guangxi, to develop the downy grape industry has recently yielded a bumper harvest.

Honored as "China's hometown of wild downy grapes", Luocheng has taken many measures to stimulate and support the development of downy grapes over the past few years.

Local farmers have grown grapes in a 75,000-mu (5,000 hectares) area, which also contributed to the county's eco-environment and helped increase farmers' incomes.

According to an official at the Luocheng's fruit bureau, the county expects to produce 9,000 tons of downy grapes this year, with a production value of 63 million yuan ($9.84 million).

Luocheng will also invest 230 million yuan to enlarge Zhongtian Winery to develop local grape wine industry.

Edited by Mevlut Katik