An aerial view of the towel gourd plantation in Xinchang township, Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/qz828.com]

The towel gourd plantation in Xinchang township, Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province recently experienced a bumper harvest, local media reported on Aug 7.

Youlu village in Xinchang township planted more than 300 mu of towel gourds, enabling nearly 70 villagers to find jobs near home and bringing in 600,000 yuan ($8,902.01) for the village.

Li Jianguo, a resident of Youlu village, said that he can earn 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a month working at the plantation and can take care of his family and his own farm work.

According to the cooperation agreement with Changshan Fuhao Ecological Resources Development Co Ltd, the purchase price of the towel gourd is 70 yuan per kilogram, and the total output value of the plantation can exceed 9 million yuan.

Xinchang Township is currently planning to build a towel gourd product processing factory to extend the industrial chain, and develop towel gourd products such as insoles, bath supplies, bedding, medicinal food, and skin care products.