Cherry Leads Way in Poverty Fight in Chengcheng County

The green shoots grown in tissue culture containers at the seedling detoxification and breeding center of Chengcheng County's cherry experiment station have recently sprouted, fostering aspiration for a bumper year.

A worker looks after the tender shoots at the seedling detoxification and breeding center of Chengcheng County's cherry experiment station Photo: Liu Jiachen

A farmer and her round, plump Chengcheng cherries Photo: Liu Jiachen

"Our center has ranked among the largest and highest-level cherry tissue culture seedling bases in Shaanxi. With advanced seedling breeding technology, we have provided key technical support for Chengcheng County and its neighboring areas to grow high-quality cherries that can well suit local soil conditions," said Lu Lijun, head of Chengcheng County's cherry experiment station.

After years of intensive and comprehensive research, the government of Chengcheng County has given priority to the development of the cherry industry amid its efforts to seek breakthroughs in fostering local agricultural brands and promoting high-quality development in light of local favorable climate, environment and field conditions.

So far, the county has developed 6,000 hectares of cherry fields, bringing local people 140 million yuan in annual income, while the cherry industry has becomes a pillar for the local poverty alleviation.

"Next, we will strive to build Chengcheng into a leading cherry production county in China. With a long-range goal to develop 10,000 hectares of high-standard cherry farmland, we will make cherry growing an iconic agricultural industry of the county, laying a solid foundation for achieving victories in eliminating poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects while promoting rural revitalization," said He Hong'an, the director of the county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.