Cactus cultivation boosts rural development in SW China

Once a village with minimal industry and limited livelihoods, Zhuangzitian in southwest China's Yunnan Province has grown into the country's top hub for cactus farming, with the highest output value nationwide.

In August, 20 tonnes of edible cactus leaves were exported from the village to Southeast Asian countries, marking China's first-ever shipment of edible cactus abroad.

In the past, rocky desertification caused by the karst landscape left 80 percent of the village's land barren, prompting most young people to seek work elsewhere. However, on the white rocky hills, cacti have thrived for over 200 years, growing with remarkable resilience.

The cactus's ability to thrive in poor soil and withstand drought makes it a natural savior for rocky, desertified mountains. Its thick leaves are packed with dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins, making it widely used in food, beverages, medicine, and cosmetics.

Lu Chunhong, the village head, saw the market potential in cacti. After working elsewhere for years, he returned to his hometown and, in 2019, became the village head, leading the community in growing cacti.

"In the past, villagers were neither united nor proactive in developing industries," Lu said, adding that his main focus now is to bring the community together.

In 2021, under Lu's leadership, the village established a collective company, contributing all village land as shares and turning residents into shareholders to jointly cultivate cacti. Roads were also constructed up the mountains, supporting the expansion of cactus plantations.

In 2022, the cacti bore fruit, with 100 hectares producing 260 tonnes of fresh fruit and generating sales revenue of over 5 million yuan (about $700,000). The villagers not only paid off their road construction debts but also increased cactus cultivation by another 100 hectares.

The industrial chain continues to grow. In 2023, Yimuliangtian (Yunnan) Agricultural Investment Co., Ltd. established operations in the village, creating a full industrial chain for edible cactus.

Today, more than 10 cactus-based products, including dried fruit, enzymes, and beer, have been developed. Even the spines, once considered waste, are now crafted into handicrafts, making full use of the entire plant.

The extensive development of the industrial chain has significantly increased local employment. According to Chen Xiaoke, the company's general manager, it has directly created over 1,000 jobs and indirectly helped 36,000 farm households boost their income, with their annual earnings rising from 32,000 yuan (about $4,500) in 2021 to 103,000 yuan (about $14,400) in 2024.

In 2024, the village collectively planted over 330 hectares of cacti. The total output value of the industrial chain rose to 17.32 million yuan (about $2.4 million), with cactus leaves, flowers, honey oil, and derivative products collectively creating a diverse income structure.

Meanwhile, the industrial model has kept evolving, deeply connecting cactus farming with Yi ethnic culture and rural leisure. In July this year, the village held its first cultural tourism festival focused on cacti, attracting over 40,000 visitors from all over the country.

"We aim to transform the cactus industry from merely selling fruit to offering an experience of ecology and culture," said Lu, radiating confidence in the future of the industry and the village.

The first export of cacti marks a new milestone for Zhuangzitian's cactus industry. Zhang Hongye, chairman of the company, said the successful shipment has increased confidence in expanding into overseas markets.

"Japan is the next target market for cactus exports. We are also engaging with local buyers and aiming to achieve new breakthroughs as soon as possible," Zhang added.

(Cover: Cacti in Yunnan Province, southwest China. /VCG)