小小银杏叶，如何成了村民致富“金叶”

Core Insights - The article highlights the successful development of the ginkgo leaf industry in Shitan Town, which has transformed from traditional farming to a profitable agricultural model through the cultivation of ginkgo leaves, benefiting local farmers and the economy [1][2]. Summary by Sections Industry Development - In 2015, Shitan Town began experimenting with the cultivation of 900 acres of ginkgo leaves, leveraging the "returning farmland to forest" policy, which initiated a combination of ecological restoration and industrial revitalization [2]. - The establishment of a modern ginkgo leaf drying factory in 2021 significantly increased the annual output value of the ginkgo industry from over 1 million yuan to an expected 4.5 million yuan in 2023, with dry leaf prices reaching up to 18,000 yuan per ton [2][3]. Economic Impact - The ginkgo industry has led to an average annual income increase of 2,300 yuan per household, with some farmers reporting profits of nearly 100,000 yuan from their ginkgo cultivation [1][2]. - The local economy has benefited from job creation, with villagers earning approximately 200 yuan per day from leaf picking [2]. Future Plans - Shitan Town plans to expand its ginkgo cultivation area to over 3,000 acres by next year, encouraging the use of marginal lands for ginkgo planting [3][4]. - The town is also working on establishing a deep processing industrial park capable of handling 5,000 tons of dry leaves annually, aiming to extract active ingredients from ginkgo leaves and develop high-value products like ginkgo leaf tea [4].