Neihuang Chili Peppers

Neihuang Chili Peppers

　　Neihuang chili peppers are a specialty of Neihuang County in Anyang City, Henan Province. The chili peppers produced in Neihuang are renowned across China for their high yield, excellent quality, bright color, strong spiciness, and attractive shape.

　　Chili peppers — Neihuang County has been cultivating chili peppers for nearly twenty years. It all began in 1992 with demonstration planting in Liucun Township, and in 1993 the planted area expanded to 2,000 mu, then gradually extended to neighboring areas such as Jingdian Town, Bocheng Township, and Houhe Town. By 1996, the countywide planting area had reached 22,000 mu, with a per-unit yield of 241 kilograms and a total output of 5.302 million kilograms. In 1996, a chili pepper wholesale market was established on both sides of Mabai Road, east of the Liucun Township government, covering an area of 65,000 square meters, with an investment of 12 million yuan and 900 stalls. In 1998, the county party committee and government incorporated chili pepper cultivation into the agricultural development plan as a key industry. In 2000, the planting area rapidly expanded from 45,000 mu the previous year to 143,200 mu, with a total output of 25,000 tons — an increase of 121,200 mu in area and 19,700 tons in total output compared to 1996. By 2006, the planting area had grown to 300,000 mu, with all townships in the county participating, though the most concentrated areas were Liucun, Houhe, Mashang, and Jingdian. The county’s agricultural authorities actively introduced, tested, demonstrated, and promoted new varieties, establishing high-yield demonstration plots and new variety trial zones, while vigorously promoting new chili pepper cultivation techniques. Both per-unit and total yields gradually increased, along with economic returns, making chili peppers an important source of income for local farmers. In 2009, the county’s chili pepper planting area reached 300,000 mu, with a total output of 81,000 tons.