Ziqiu Papaya

Ziqiu Papaya

Ziqiu Papaya is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Papaya belongs to the Rosaceae family and is the fruit of the plant Chaenomeles speciosa. "Wrinkled Skin Papaya" is a processed product made from its fruit. The renowned "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya" from Changyang Tujia Autonomous County has a very long planting history and was famous as early as the Qing Dynasty. The "Chinese Ziqiu Papaya" recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia refers to the "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya" from Changyang. Because at that time transportation in Changyang was underdeveloped, papayas had to be carried manually on shoulders or backs to the Ziqiu dock by the Qingjiang River for water transport and export to various parts of the country as well as countries in Southeast Asia and Africa. Hence, it came to be known as "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya." After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya" developed rapidly, gaining a good reputation in both domestic and international markets. It became an export inspection-exempt commodity in China and also the mainstream variety of papaya exports. The "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya" is world-renowned for its characteristics of "few seeds, vibrant color, and wrinkled skin," along with its superior quality. It has unique medicinal value and health benefits. Its nutritional value is no less than that of kiwi fruit, and there is a folk saying: "An apricot brings one benefit, a pear two, but a papaya a hundred."

　　It has unique medicinal value and is a traditional precious Chinese medicinal herb. Many medical sources such as the "Compendium of Materia Medica" contain records about the "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya." Laboratory analysis shows that the "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya" contains large amounts of organic acids, vitamins, and various proteolytic enzymes. It has effects such as soothing the liver and tendons, harmonizing the kidneys and resolving dampness, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and lowering blood lipids. It strongly inhibits pathogens such as typhoid and dysentery bacilli, Staphylococcus aureus, and cancer cells. The "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya" is widely used in clinical formulations for producing various traditional Chinese patent medicines such as Miaoji Pills, Papaya Pills, Fengluotong Tablets, Bone Spur Pain Relief Liquid, and Shenrong Papaya Wine, as well as cosmetic and bathing products like papaya skincare items, papaya soap, facial cleansers, and shower gels. Papaya is also a high-quality raw material for producing a series of health foods such as papaya canned goods, fruit pulp, and beverages.

　　In recent years, with the implementation of the national "Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Action Plan" and China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya" has encountered unprecedented development opportunities and highly promising market prospects. Changyang has vigorously developed papaya as a featured agricultural project. By the end of 2002, focusing on Langping Town, the total planting area of "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya" reached 20,000 mu, including 7,000 mu of old orchards and 13,000 mu newly developed in recent years. In 2002, the fresh papaya yield was 2,500 tons, dried product yield 620 tons, with a production value of 4.2 million yuan. It is estimated that by 2006, the fresh fruit yield can reach 8,400 tons and the dried product yield 2,100 tons. In March 2002, four organizations including the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology jointly designated Langping Town as the "Hubei Provincial Authentic Chinese Medicinal Materials GAP Demonstration Construction Base." With the introduction of GAP regulations, the base construction will receive policy protection. In the development of the "Ziqiu Wrinkled Skin Papaya," an industrialized path has been adhered to. Cooperation intention agreements for the "Hubei Authentic Chinese Medicinal Materials GAP Demonstration Construction Base" have been signed with scientific research institutions and pharmaceutical groups such as Jiangxi Huiren Group, Sanjiu Group, and Wuhan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Wuhan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine provides technical guidance, while Jiangxi Huiren Group and Sanjiu Group use the Changyang papaya base as a raw material supply base for medicinal herbs, ensuring sales for the development of papaya.