High-altitude rice is highly sought-after in the market thanks to its rich nutrition and good taste, and various high-quality rice varieties have been demonstrated and planted, yielding about 7.5 metric tons per hectare, He said.

In April, apart from traditional cultivation of rice and oilseed rape, the locals also developed trial cultivation of 6.7 hectares of drought-resistant Chinese golden sunflowers.

This rare plant, with its flowers, fruits, roots, stems and leaves all possessing medicinal and edible value, is known for its economic value.

Since July, the flower has been yielding about 150 kilograms per hectare. Processed products such as flower tea and seed oil have been developed to boost farmers' incomes.

While mechanized operations have mostly replaced traditional manual labor, the local government is also encouraging farmers to work part-time at local companies transplanting seedlings, and weeding and sowing as needed, particularly during the busy farming season from March to May.

"I never expected to earn money by picking flowers," said 59-year-old local farmer Tan Kuixin.

Despite having a congenital limb disability, he can tend to golden sunflowers and earn extra money.

"In the past, it was difficult for us to navigate through our land, as it had been abandoned and overgrown with weeds and trees," said 62-year-old farmer Fang Shaoqing. "Now great changes have taken place in both the land's appearance and economic value."

Five years ago, Fang, who had been working in Shanghai for years, decided to return home.

He now serves as management staff at China Co-op Group Company's business in Bayi, mainly responsible for organizing and coordinating labor on local farmland, and can earn about 30,000 yuan ($4,200) a year.

Due to its picturesque surroundings and cool climate, the village has also flourished as an agritourism destination. Notably, the village, with almost half the population being Tujia ethnic people, has traditional ethnic minority elements. The opportunity to experience and learn about agricultural activities, including planting seedlings, harvesting rice and drying grains, has attracted many visitors.

In addition to every household having access to a paved road, the village also renovated a steep 2.6-kilometer road last year, making it easier for grain cargo trucks to zigzag along.

The road was hailed as the "Road to Happiness" by local people due to its significance in facilitating transportation and improving their well-being.

Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn