Zhanjiang helps Tibet grow tropical fruit

A truck loaded with 2,000 tree saplings of over 10 different varieties was sent to Tibet autonomous region from Zhanjiang in late April, for trial planting.

The plants travelled the 3,000-kilometer journey as the result of an agreement between Zhanjiang-based South Subtropical Crops Research Institute and the Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences.

The two institutes aim to share germplasm resources used in the breeding and planting of crops.

South Subtropical Crops Research Institute is a non-profit organization under the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, committed to the research and development of subtropical plant breeding, cultivation, and storage.

Experts from South Subtropical Crops Research Institute in Zhanjiang and the Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences plant macadamia nuts trees at Tibet's Medog county in late April to help improve its agriculture. [Photo provided to China Daily]

According to institute's macadamia nuts research group leader Zeng Hui, it will be the first time that Tibet has attempted to plant macadamia nuts – which are usually grown in warmer environments.

Thanks to early research, Zayu village of Zayu county and Baibung village of Medog county in the southeastern part of Tibet seem to be good places for experimental plantations because of the mild and rainy climate.

Three experts from Zhanjiang worked together with local researchers to plant sweetsop, mango, dragon fruit and other rare and improved saplings, hoping that if successful it could improve agriculture system in the region.

Local farmers were also given guidance and taught new growing techniques so that they could take advantage of market gaps and make more money.