A turning point came in 2012, when Yunzhou identified the yellow flowers as a strategic crop for poverty alleviation. The local government launched a series of supportive measures like crop insurance to further alleviate farmers' concerns like unstable income, accelerating the expansion of yellow flower cultivation.

The results have been remarkable. By the end of last year, the planting area had expanded from under 667 hectares to 11,333 hectares, yielding 120,000 metric tons of fresh citron daylily and receiving an annual output value of 700 million yuan. This boom has increased farmers' annual incomes by an average of 5,000 yuan per person. Products now extend from vegetables and beverages to cosmetics and cultural goods, with a combined industry chain value of 2.2 billion yuan.

Tang's farm has grown from a modest 0.07-hectare plot to a 2.3-hectare operation.

"Agricultural experts now guide us through every stage. After harvesting, the flowers are collected by the factory, and we get paid on-site, so we don't worry about sales," Tang said.

Since 2020, his annual income has doubled, allowing him to buy a car and a house.

As the industry continued to flourish, Yunzhou officials are actively working to sustain this momentum. They encouraged village leaders to purchase flowers from local farmers and streamline the transportation and processing chain, ensuring that the benefits of this golden bloom are shared across the community.

Zhang Wei, head of the villagers committee which manages the administrative affairs of Tangjiabao village in Yunzhou, said that the lack of a platform and bridge for communication between farmers and agricultural enterprises was an important reason hindering the citron daylily industry's growth.