Posted on 10/01/2007 6:51:10 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
This week our reporter Feng Ling travelled to a small county in Shaanxi, to finds out how local farmers there are using environmentally friendly measures to make sure their apples are pesticide free and safe to eat.
Autumn is the harvest season. Flaming apple trees stretch for miles and miles Orchards at this small county of Luochuan are becoming busier and busier, as many buyers have flooded in.
Luochuan used to be considered a very poor county, with an average annual income per farmer of just 1200 yuan. But things began to change for the better after the local farmers adopted a new farming method five years ago.
There's a popular saying here in Luochuan, that is, you don't have to peel the apple before eating. Local farmers are quite proud of this. And they seem to have a rather interesting way to make the apple not only crisp and sweet, but more importantly - organic.
These creatures appear to have nothing to do with apple farming but actually have everything to do with the success of Luochuan's apples.
Local farmers are raising pigs alongside the orchards. Pigs were fed with clover planted on the orchard floor, and the pig manure gets mixed with rainwater and then ferments. The resulting methane gas is used in the farmers' homes for lighting and cooking, and the solids are mixed with grass and are applied as fertilizer to enrich the ground. This works both economically as well as ecologically.
One apple grower said "I grow about a quarter of a hectare of apples, and raise 4 pigs. That's almost enough to fertilize the orchard. And it can save me two thirds of the total costs. I earn around 20 thousand yuan a year with these apple trees."
This "apple - clover - livestock" formula was introduced five years ago in Luochuan, in addition to several other key growing techniques. It has greatly increased not just the output, but also the quality of their products.. Sticky strips.. pest control lights and bowls... farmers are encouraged to use more of these environmentally friendly pest control methods rather than chemical pesticides. These measures not only reduce their costs, but also make the apples more organic. No wonder local people always say "eat Luochuan apples with the peel on."
Luochuan apples are also gradually making themselves known by international buyers. They are now exported to 78 countries and regions around the world. As with any of the other Chinese farm produce, quality and safety is the top priority for local farmers.
Luochuan apples have also gained international fame in recent years. To ensure every single one of the apples meeting international standards, they have to go through thorough procedures before exporting overseas.
Hand picking, washing, drying, polishing, boxing. These apples can remain fresh for five to six months.
Shaanxi is one of China's key apple growing bases, with an annual production volume of 5.6 million tons, accounting for a quarter of the country's total. Shaanxi has 27 famous apple counties that sell apples abroad. And It's concentrated apple juice exports account for one third of the world's total.
Wang Zhenxing, Director of Shaanxi Fruit Industry Administrative Bureau said "Shaanxi apples are exported to many countries including Canada, EU countries and Japan. All these countries have strict requirements for farm produce. But with our high quality, we can enter their markets without any problems."
Local government has also invited industry experts and buyers from both home and abroad to the orchards, letting them have some real experience of Shaanxi's apples. Local fruit growers seized the opportunity to show off their best apples. The flaming fruit seemed to have impressed many.
Neill Preofessor, International Business Manager of Fresh New Zealand Ltd. said "We have heard of Luochuan apples. We hear it's of very good quality. It's a very good place to see your apples. So we come to see for ourselves. We are very pleased to what we've seen. And we are very impressed with the quality of the fruit and the taste."
Hohan Coetsee, Reporter of Landbou (South Africa) said "I think it's very very good. I'm surprised. I'm very very surprised. It's great. Really."
One international buyer said "It's very tasty, very nice. I'd like to try some more."
Another international buyer said "I like the Fuji. It's very good."
Apple farming has become the pillar industry for Shaanxi's rural area. And they are striving to build the apple industry into something that is world-class. There is no doubt that the hard work and wisdom that have pulled the local people out of poverty will also lead them to greater success.
Apples grown in pig poop.
DIS-GUST-ING
“We have heard of Luochuan apples. We hear it’s of very good quality. It’s a very good place to see your apples. So we come to see for ourselves. We are very pleased to what we’ve seen. And we are very impressed with the quality of the fruit and the taste.”
All your apples are belong to us.
no chance survive make your time.
Most of juice concentrates come from China.
I don’t buy juice. Just FL O.J.
Gives you a clue of how bad it is over there.
I only peel apples for apple crisp or pie, and even then I snack on the peels as I do it.
Naw, NY apples have them beat.
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