Lyshikao Pitaya

Lyshikao Pitaya

　　Lyshikao Village in Yangjiang Town, Qionghai City, Hainan Province is a former revolutionary base area. For a long time, its main industries were traditional tropical crops such as pepper, rubber, and betel nut, resulting in low farmer incomes that did not allow them to join the ranks of the wealthy. In 1999, the farmers of Lyshikao Village boldly introduced the cultivation of white-flesh pitaya and continuously explored planting techniques, accumulating experience. The Qionghai City Agriculture and Forestry Bureau also provided strong support and assistance in terms of improved varieties and funding.

　　　　After years of research and practice, a farmer-invented "natural grass-growing cultivation method for pitaya" was successfully applied, along with pollution-free standardized cultivation techniques combining soil testing and formulated fertilization as well as active biological regulators. This approach not only reduces chemical fertilizer usage, avoids attracting pests or triggering diseases, but also results in high-quality fruit. Moreover, it requires low investment and cost, yielding significant economic benefits.

　　　　In 2009, Lyshikao Village leveraged the "Winter Trade Fair" exhibition platform to expand the social recognition of the pitaya industry. Now, the village has 1,065 acres of pitaya cultivation, accounting for 21% of the city’s total pitaya planting area; 201 pitaya farming households, making up 78.5% of the village’s total households; in 2010, the total income from pitaya reached 7.826 million yuan, accounting for 65% of the village’s total income; and the per capita income of pitaya farming households was 8,725 yuan.

　　　　Currently, the pitaya industry has been included in the "12th Five-Year Plan" agricultural development plan of Qionghai City, with plans to promote cultivation on 5,000 acres, aiming to reach a scale of 10,000 acres.