Sun Mountain Chestnuts

Sun Mountain Chestnuts

　　Jingshan County is recognized as the hometown of premium chestnut economic forests in China. The county currently has 200,000 mu of chestnut economic forest, with its main specialty varieties being "Qingmao Early" and "Hongmao Early." These varieties are among the earliest ripening in the country. In 1989, they were designated by the provincial forestry department as early-ripening, high-quality varieties to be promoted for cultivation across the province. They generally come to market around the Mid-Autumn Festival, boast excellent quality, and are highly favored by consumers. The county produces 6,000 tons of dried chestnuts annually, which are exported both domestically and internationally.

Currently, the rate of high-quality varieties among the nation’s chestnut economic forests exceeds 75%. The comprehensive benefits of chestnut production are strong, with the industry generating an annual output value of over 50 million yuan in the county. On average, each mountain household produces 1,000 kilograms of chestnuts, earning more than 6,000 yuan. Chestnut income accounts for over 85% of the total income of chestnut farmers. The management features the following characteristics: First, strong political leadership and high public enthusiasm. To effectively strengthen the leadership of the county’s chestnut economic forest production, as early as 1986, the county established a Chestnut Production Work Leading Group, with the deputy secretary of the county Party committee in charge of agriculture and the deputy county head serving as group leader and deputy leader respectively. Personnel were also drawn from relevant departments such as forestry, agriculture, finance, taxation, and foreign trade to form a dedicated task force focusing on the development of the county’s chestnut economic forests. At the same time, the county government also formulated a series of preferential policies to encourage and support chestnut production and management. Second, an integrated production–supply–sales chain ensures considerable comprehensive economic returns. To fully leverage the distinctive benefits of chestnut economic forest production, while providing quality pre-production and mid-production services, the county has also focused on post-production sales of chestnut products. Over 10 economic product sales companies have been established in the county, employing more than 500 people. Additionally, there are four dry fruit preservation and cold storage facilities with a total preservation capacity of 500 tons. Third, increased investment in science and technology enhances the technological content of chestnut production. The county has collaborated with research institutions such as Huazhong Agricultural University and the Provincial Forestry Academy to complete a series of scientific research projects, including “Research on the Selection and Cultivation Techniques of Early-Ripening Chestnut Varieties Hongmao Early and Qingmao Early and Their High-Yield Cultivation,” and “Research on the Establishment of a Chestnut Variety Resource Garden and Variety Selection.” These projects have won the Provincial Government’s Spark Program Second Prize and the Provincial Government’s Science and Technology Progress Third Prize, among others. Recently, the project “Research on the Occurrence Patterns and Control Methods of Chestnut Bark Beetle” was completed and passed expert evaluation organized by the Jingmen Science and Technology Bureau.

At the same time, the county also places great emphasis on the promotion and popularization of advanced and practical technologies in chestnut economic forest production. A comprehensive technology extension network has been established, with a three-tier technical extension system at the county, township, and village levels actively conducting technical training. One to two chestnut production technology training sessions are held each season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Technical guidance and services are provided for all production stages, including seedling cultivation, afforestation, pruning, grafting, fertilization, pest and disease control, and soil management. Demonstration bases have also been developed to showcase technological advancements for the county’s chestnut production. The contribution of science and technology to chestnut production exceeds 85%.