Nanchuan Rice

Nanchuan Rice

Nanchuan Rice is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Nanchuan District plants rice on 415,000 mu of land annually, with a total rice output of 190,000 tons. Rice (rice grain) sales account for over 20% of farmers’ annual income. Of the district’s 415,000 mu of paddy fields, 314,000 mu are located in inverted mountainous areas at elevations between 600 and 900 meters, free from pollution sources, with forest coverage exceeding 40%. Influenced by the microclimate of Jinfo Mountain, the area enjoys relatively low average daily temperatures and large diurnal temperature variations, resulting in a long crop growth period that is conducive to the formation of high-quality rice. Nanchuan is a natural premium rice production area and one of the most suitable regions in Chongqing for growing mid- to high-end quality rice.

　　Since the 1990s, the district has made full use of its superior natural conditions to carry out demonstration planting of high-quality rice. Through nearly a decade of effort, it has implemented standardized cultivation of high-quality rice, explored various aspects such as base construction, brand creation, and cultivating leading enterprises, and gradually moved onto a path of sound development. It has been designated as a national-level high-quality rice agricultural standardization demonstration zone, a Chongqing green premium rice production base, and a Chongqing high-quality grain deep-processing industrialization “Million Project” construction base. In 2003, the district obtained certification for its Nanchuan Rice pollution-free base, in 2004 for its “Nanchuan Rice” pollution-free product, and in 2006 for both the Nanchuan Rice pollution-free base and product as a whole. In 200?, it applied for the regional brand “Nanchuan Rice,” which has now been certified.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: Nanchuan features crisscrossing mountains and deep valleys, with terrain sloping from southeast to northwest. The northern part is a parallel ridge-valley region, while the southern part belongs to the Loushan fold belt. The highest elevation is 2,251 meters, and the lowest is 340 meters, resulting in large diurnal temperature differences. The soils used for rice production are purple soils and mineral yellow soils developed from parent materials such as the Shaximiao Formation, Penglaizhen Formation, and Suijiahe Formation. These soils have a pH value of 4.5–6.5 and are rich in various nutrients and trace elements such as N, P, and K, making them suitable for a wide range of crops.

　　(2) Hydrology: The district has a water area of 67,000 mu, including 40,000 mu of rivers, 14,000 mu of reservoirs, 100 mu of ponds, 18,000 mu of ditches, and 2,000 mu of dam and hydraulic structures. The area is crisscrossed with rivers and streams, with 58 rivers of varying sizes. Ponds, reservoirs, and rivers can meet the water needs for rice cultivation. Moreover, the water quality for rice irrigation met the standards for green food rice water quality as tested in 2006, with good quality and no other factors affecting water quality.

　　(3) Climate: Nanchuan has a typical subtropical humid monsoon climate, with mild weather, an average annual temperature of 16.6°C, a maximum annual temperature of 39.8°C, and a minimum of 3°C. Annual rainfall is 1,185 mm, abundant throughout the year, and annual sunshine hours total 1,279. The frost-free period lasts 320 days. The ecological environment is excellent, with forest coverage exceeding 47%.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Factors: The unique ecological, climatic, and environmental conditions of Nanchuan District are particularly suitable for the production of high-quality rice. “Nanchuan Rice” has long enjoyed a strong reputation within Chongqing. In recent years, the fame, quality, and production scale of “Nanchuan Rice” have grown significantly. Its production area spans 34 towns and townships, covering 400,000 mu of planted area, with an annual output of over 160,000 tons. There are two leading processing enterprises for “Nanchuan Rice,” both certified as green food enterprises. Six rice products have received green food certification, among which “Jinfo Mountain Brand” Jinfo Mountain Tribute Rice and “Dongshuitian Brand” Daguan Rice have been upgraded from green food to organic food certification. “Nanchuan Rice” has become a recognized branded agricultural product among consumers in the Chongqing market.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The production area of “Nanchuan Rice” is mainly distributed between 106°54′–107°27′ east longitude and 28°46′–29°30′ north latitude. It stretches from Yiquan Township, Shuijiang Town, and Qilong Township in the east; to Hexi Town, Guhua Township, Dayou Town, Qingyuan Township, Toutou Town, Jinshan Town, and Delong Township in the south; to Shentong Town, Shilian Township, Nanping Town, Xinglong Town, and Daguan Town in the west; and to Taipingchang Town, Qianfeng Township, Shixi Township, Lengshuiguan Township, Minzhu Township, as well as the central urban areas of Dongcheng Subdistrict Office, Nancheng Subdistrict Office, Xicheng Subdistrict Office, Muliang Town, Baisha Town, Tuxi Township, Hetu Township, Shiqiang Town, Zhongqiao Township, Tiecun Township, Mingyu Town, Fengyan Township, Fushou Township, and Sanquan Town in the north — a total of 34 townships and subdistrict offices. This unified ecological environment encompasses 400,000 mu of “Nanchuan Rice” production area.