Huaiyuan county, situated in Bengbu city of Anhui Province, has leveraged its geographic and climatic advantages to develop a "pomegranate corridor" along a local river, effectively transforming both its economy and landscape. This initiative, spanning 1,000 hectares, is now recognized as a provincial-level standardized demonstration zone, merging tourism with various industries.
As a region with a longstanding tradition of pomegranate farming, Huaiyuan is distinguished as one of the four traditional pomegranate cultivation areas in China. In celebration of its rich agricultural heritage, the county is set to host the 10th pomegranate cultural tourism festival during the peak harvest season from late September to early October, inviting visitors to experience the abundant harvest firsthand.
Liu Haibo, a local plantation owner in the "pomegranate corridor," has adapted to this year's challenging weather conditions, which included high temperatures and low rainfall, by intensifying irrigation efforts to three times per month. His commitment to maintaining high fruit quality is supported by expert guidance from the Bengbu National Agricultural Science and Technology Park, which has been instrumental in enhancing both the size and taste of his pomegranates through science-based cultivation methods.
The pomegranate industry in Huaiyuan spans 53,000 mu and supports a robust wholesale market that trades approximately 200,000 tonnes of the fruit annually, positioning the county as a significant national trading hub. Beyond agriculture, the local pomegranate industry has diversified into juice and wine production, bonsai cultivation, and tourism, thereby integrating agriculture with manufacturing and services to increase profitability for farmers. The county is home to four pomegranate processing enterprises, collectively producing over 100 product varieties and generating an annual output value exceeding 500 million yuan ($71 million).
Source: People's Daily Online