Innovation boosts fruit production  

cctv.com 10-20-2005 15:37

We continue our series of special reports on the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with a look at its colorful fruits, nuts and vegetables. During the past decade, the region's traditional fruit industry has received a boost thanks to technological innovation. While grapes and dates continue to fatten many wallets, high-tech has helped local tomato growers create a huge demand around the world.

These are extremely hectic days for Hetian resident Memet Tulson and his children. These newly harvested walnuts have to be dried in the sun before bulk buyers from other provinces come to strike deals.

Walnuts have become a major moneymaker in Hetian County in recent years, and Memet's new house and three motorcycles are proof of his accumulating fortune.

His premium walnuts have fetched good prices over the years, thanks to consistent technical support from the local government.

Memet, Walnut Grower, said, "Experts began to visit our village to introduce grafting techniques in 1998. But because grafting meant cutting off grown branches and no walnut harvests in the first two years, no one dared to try at the beginning. Some villagers even refused to let the experts in their house."

Despite his suspicions, Memet finally gave in.

By the third year, his walnut harvests tripled. The size of the walnuts grew too -- as did his income.

Encouraged by Memet's success, other villagers began to welcome technical innovations.

Apart from technical training, local forestry authorities have also focused on fruit breeding and branding.

Maimaiti Yusuf, Pomegranate Grower, said, "My pomegranates used to sell for one yuan per jin. But now with a beautiful name, "Pyalema", they are four times more expensive but still sell like hot cakes."

High latitudes and ample sunshine favor Xinjiang fruits. But more ingredients are needed to turn a good harvest into a good profit.

Tomatoes, for example, have been Xinjiang's top cash crop, taking up as much as a million acres of land and about 15% of the global ketchup market.

But as a low-tech product, the price of ketchup is affected by global fluctuations. To hedge risks, the locals have been looking for extra value in downstream tomato products, such as lycopene, a proven anti-oxidant extracted from tomato skins and ketchup dregs.

Yao Ming, Owner of Tomato Products Company, Jichang County , said, "In a good year, a ton of ketchup sell for 400 to 500 US dollars in international markets. But the price of lycopene is 300,000 dollars, which is 600 times higher. "

Apart from sunshine and technology, the success story of Xinjiang fruits has another blessing.

Ruoqiang County used to grow pears and cotton, but it switched to dates five years ago at the government's advice, because the fruit is both potentially very lucrative and environmentally friendly.

To practice what he preaches, Ruoqiang's deputy head is known to wear three scissors all year around.

Zhang Yaping, Deputy Head of Ruoqiang County, said, "This one is for pruning high branches; this is for heavy weights; and that, for trimming twigs."

Zhang has not only taught himself how to grow red dates, he also uses his scissors to help others do so.

By last year, red dates were grown in more than half of the county's orchards. And this has resulted in a double blessing; it has boosted the local income and cut the annual sandstorm days by 30%.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com