Liuhe Papaya

Liuhe Papaya

　　Liuhe Township is located on the northeastern edge of the Nanyang Basin, covering an area of 139 square kilometers. Hills and ridges account for three-quarters of the township, providing ample space for papaya cultivation. The area features a subtropical semi-humid monsoon climate with abundant rainfall and sufficient sunlight throughout the year. Its unique mountain microclimate is highly suitable for papaya growth. Historical records indicate that Liuhe has over 1,000 years of papaya cultivation history. On Longfeng Mountain, there are still more than 100 papaya trees aged 300 years. By 2009, the total papaya cultivation area in the township had exceeded 40,000 mu, with an annual output of over 150,000 tons. The papaya grown in Liuhe is the smooth-skinned variety, also known as Xuan papaya or “longevity fruit.” According to Compendium of Materia Medica, papaya has considerable medicinal value.