Datong daylily industry thrives. [Photo/Datong Daily]

The daylily industry in Yunzhou district, Datong, is flourishing, with 170,000 mu (11,333 hectares) of daylilies contributing to an industrial value of 2.48 billion yuan ($366 million) in 2025.

This impressive growth can be attributed to a series of measures implemented by local authorities, including the adoption of drip irrigation, integrated water and fertilizer systems, subsidies and insurance.

Market-oriented reforms in cooperatives boosted yields by nearly 200 kilograms per mu in 2021, while standardized field management was implemented in 2024, decreasing labor costs for manual harvesting by 20 percent.

The average yield of daylilies per mu has more than doubled, rising from less than 500 kg to more than 1,250 kg. A total of 17,000 individuals who were lifted out of poverty have received dividends exceeding 30 million yuan, and nearly 20,000 people have found jobs, with an average annual income increase of 5,200 yuan per person.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), authorities invested 650 million yuan in daylily planting, harvesting, processing, and sales, with 43 projects, including an agricultural expo park, having been completed.

Datong has developed a comprehensive daylily industry model that combines leading enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers. In Yunzhou district, 138 entities involved in production, processing, and sales have been established, producing over 100 types of daylily products, including dried vegetables, frozen fresh produce, pickles, beverages, and more.

The daylilies have been exported to countries, including the United States and Canada.