The local government sends three experts to help cherry farmers in Wanglinpo town, Taishan district. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In order to promote the steady development of agriculture and increase rural incomes during the COVID-19 epidemic, experts in Tai'an, East China's Shandong province are offering services to local farmers.

A total of 87 groups of experts have been set up in Tai'an to carry out scientific analysis of the livestock breeding base, characteristic industrial production base, farmers' professional co-operatives and large planting and breeding households in every village.

Cherries planted in Wanglinpo town, Taishan district recently reached maturity. There are still more than 30 days before regular cherries hit the market, while boxes of cherries planted in Wanglinpo town are already being sold in major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Shenyang.

Just two months ago, cherry farmers in Wanglinpo town were worried about their crops, which have been neglected due to the virus outbreak.

After learning of the situation, the local government sent three experts to adjust the temperature of the cherry trees by adding air conditioners and warm-air ducts in the greenhouses.

As a result, the total income for farmers increased by 40 percent from last year.

A scientific seedling center for cherries which reach maturity relatively early is built in Wanglinpo town. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A scientific seedling center for cherries which reach maturity relatively early was also built in Wanglinpo town. The first batch of 200,000 high-quality cherry seedlings has already been ordered by customers in Dalian.

To date, more than 1,300 plans have been put in motion and 260 agricultural products and 460 innovation technologies have been employed to boost agricultural production in the area.