Xizang develops distinctive industries to promote rural revitalization

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Industrial prosperity is the basis for rural revitalization. Plateau yak, Tibetan medicine, Awang sheep and highland barley, for instance, have a high reputation in China and even the world. In recent years, based on the resource endowment, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region has developed a series of distinctive industries based on local conditions.

Focusing on branching out businesses, enhancing brand effect, and extending industrial chains, the development vitality of industries with traditional characteristics and advantages has been continuously stimulated, which is of great importance to promoting high-quality economic and social development in Xizang.

The processing industry of agricultural and livestock products is the main driving force to increase the income of farmers and herdsmen in Xizang. In recent years, Damxung County of Lhasa City has been vigorously promoting the construction of the whole yak industry chain. Through attracting investment and construction of new projects, the existing industry chain has been supplemented, extended and strengthened, and newly explored development models have accelerated the development level and competitiveness. At present, "geographical indication product protection and geographical indication trademark protection" have been successfully registered, completing the "SC" certification, a Chinese food production license, of Damxung yak with an "ID card." With the continuous improvement of the yak industry chain, orders from all over the country have followed.

Developing pure land pasture, family pasture and cooperatives are important channels to promote large-scale breeding. Norbu Lhadar, one of the first batch of farmers and herdsmen running family pastures in Damxung, said, "I have earned a cumulative income of over 1.4 million yuan ($195,000) so far. In addition to the income doubling in the past, I've also learned some techniques including livestock breeding. Now, the yak market is stable, and I really live a good life."

Tibetan medicine is a traditional and distinctive industry in Xizang and produces significant social benefits. With government support, Zha Village of Lhaduo Town, Nyingchi City has been committed to the cultivation of Tibetan medicinal materials and the development of specialty medicinal incense.

"In 2023, the annual sales of the Suka Medicinal Incense Factory in our village exceeded 1 million yuan. We mainly plant Himalayan mayapple, and its market prospects are pretty promising," said Lhaba Tsering, Party branch secretary of Zha Village. "Nowadays, the network economy is developing rapidly, and we can not be left behind. In the next step, we plan to encourage villagers to learn to sell goods through livestreaming, so as to enhance the popularity and influence of medicinal incense and Tibetan medicinal materials."

In the past, highland barley and wheat were mainly planted in Kangmu Village, Bome County and Nyingchi City. The single economic structure was in need of distinctive industry support. In recent years, new changes have taken place here. "Now there are 37 mu (about 25,000 square meters) of Gastrodia planted in our village. Last year, the average household income increased by more than 5,000 yuan," said Dorje, Party branch secretary of Kangmu Village. "Next, we plan to invite planting experts to impart Gastrodia planting techniques, so that more villagers can participate in the cause and increase income."

Industrial growth is closely related to employment, and it is also an important support for promoting rural revitalization. In Gongjue County, Chamdo City, Awang sheep has become a "gold card" to promote the development of local industries because of its good leather, tender meat and suitability for farming on the plateau. In recent years, by adopting the cooperation model of "company + village collective cooperative + farmers and herdsmen," the standardized large-scale breeding of Awang sheep has helped local people set foot on the road to wealth.

Liu Cui, deputy director of the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Science and Technology Promotion Service Center of Gongjue County of Chamdo City, said, "In 2023, Gongjue bred a total of 1,950 sheep for the East Xizang Biotechnology Development Co. Ltd, helping villagers increase their income by more than 1,516 yuan. Next, we will continue to promote the scientific development of the Awang sheep industry, create an industrial culture with regional characteristics, and accelerate the vigorous development of animal husbandry."

(Story by Zhi Xinghua, Liu Fang)

(Cover: Yaks are seen in front of the Rongbuk Monastery at the foot of Mount Qomolangma in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 10, 2022. /CFP)