Early-Yield Salt Source Walnuts

Early-Yield Salt Source Walnuts

Early-Yield Salt Source Walnuts is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Early-Yield Salt Source Walnuts are a specialty of Yan Yuan in Liangshan, Sichuan.

　　Yan Yuan County is the second-largest county in our prefecture in terms of forest resources. The local climate is highly suitable for walnut growth, producing walnuts of excellent quality. Premium varieties such as Early-Yield Salt Source, Welcome, Youyuan, Salt Late No.1, and Salt Late No.2 are known for their stable and high yields, high kernel extraction rates, and high processing yield. In 2012, the county's walnut planting area reached 405,000 mu, yielding 28.6 million jin of fresh walnuts, with an output value of 229 million yuan. The per capita forestry income for farmers exceeded 1,500 yuan, an increase of 39% compared to 2011.

　　Policy Promotion

　　In recent years, the Yan Yuan County Party Committee and County Government have adhered to the forestry development strategy of "planning guidance, technological support, demonstration bases, and leading enterprises," actively adjusting the agricultural structure, integrating projects and funds, and vigorously developing the walnut industry in conjunction with the returning farmland to forest program.

　　To fully tap the potential of walnut resources, Yan Yuan County established a Walnut Industry Development Leading Group. This formed a working mechanism of "Party committee leadership, government guidance, departmental implementation, and social participation." In addition to special funds from national, provincial, and prefectural forestry industry projects supporting the walnut industry in Yan Yuan County, the county finance allocated over 40 million yuan of county-level forest vegetation restoration fees specifically for walnut industry development, providing an average of 200 yuan per mu for free seedlings, fertilizers, and other costs, greatly boosting the enthusiasm of the local population to develop the walnut industry.

　　Technological Advancement

　　Efforts were strengthened in breeding improved varieties and promoting advanced cultivation methods. Research was conducted on the introduction and selection of new varieties aimed at early bearing, high yield, and premium quality, resulting in locally developed superior varieties such as "Early-Yield Salt Source," "Welcome," "Youyuan," "Salt Late No.1," and "Salt Late No.2" suitable for production in the province’s major walnut-growing regions. The "Duckbill Grafting Method" for the high-graft transformation of low-quality, low-yield forests was explored, earning one first prize, one second prize, and two third prizes in Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Awards. The focus has been on using certified improved varieties and standardized cultivation, applying the "Pollution-Free Agricultural Product Walnut Technical Regulations" and "Pollution-Free Walnut Production Technical Regulations" to establish walnut orchards.

　　Brand Development

　　Significant efforts were made to strengthen branding and shape the industry image. In 2009, Yan Yuan County was listed by the Sichuan Provincial Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau as a provincial agricultural standardization high-quality walnut demonstration zone. In 2010, "Early-Yield Salt Source" was designated as a premium variety by the Provincial Forestry Variety Approval Committee. At the 2012 prefectural forestry industry development conference, the "Welcome" walnut submitted by Yan Yuan County was awarded the gold prize by a judging panel composed of experts from the Chinese Academy of Forestry, Sichuan Academy of Forestry, and Sichuan Food Fermentation Industrial Design and Research Institute. It is reported that the "Welcome" walnut from Yan Yuan is characterized by its high yield, early bearing, mid-season ripening, strong resistance, nearly round nuts that are very easy to crack, plump white kernels with a fragrant taste, and high processing value. Coupled with its attractive appearance, it has good market development potential.

　　Early-Yield Salt Source Walnuts

　　Sichuan Province Yan Yuan County Walnut Industrialization Technology Association

　　11742325

　　Walnuts (Nuts)