Anlong Honeysuckle

Anlong Honeysuckle

Anlong Honeysuckle is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　In 2008, Anlong County had planted 140,000 mu of honeysuckle, with 20,000 mu entering the flowering stage, producing 460 tons of dried flowers and generating an output value of 18.4 million yuan. It is estimated that by 2010, over 60,000 mu of honeysuckle in Anlong will reach full bloom. At current prices, this will generate an annual output value of 60 million yuan. This single crop alone can increase the per capita net income of farmers in the county by 150 yuan.

　　　　Based on the calculation that one mu of karst mountain land can support 70 honeysuckle plants, and each plant can conserve about 200 kilograms of water, one mu of honeysuckle can conserve 140,000 kilograms of water. Thus, 200,000 mu of honeysuckle can conserve 2.8 million tons of water. The forest vegetation coverage in Anlong County’s rocky desertification areas has increased from 41% to 70%, a net rise of 29 percentage points, while soil erosion has decreased by 45% compared to the past. Over 80% of the rocky desertified land has been further treated, and the impoverished conditions of the karst rocky desertification areas have been completely transformed. Dasuijing, once a craggy land strewn with rocks, is now covered in greenery and brimming with vitality.

　　　　On July 7, 2009, Wang Fuyu, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, visited Dasuijing Village in Dewo Town to inspect the work on rocky desertification control. Upon learning that the per capita income of villagers in the village had reached 24,000 yuan by planting honeysuckle in deep rocky mountainous areas, Wang Fuyu happily said that Dasuijing Village, by adapting to local conditions and planting honeysuckle in deep rocky mountains, not only found a path to prosperity but also accumulated valuable experience and practices for controlling rocky desertification in karst regions. This model is worth promoting across the province.

　　　　“With a thousand vines of honeysuckle at home, you’ll never worry about having no money to spend. Golden and silver blossoms sprout fresh moss, and when they bloom in May, happiness comes. Girls no longer want to marry out, and brides from other provinces run in.” Nowadays, as the days in Dasuijing Village grow more prosperous, the folk songs passed down among the villagers have transformed. The flowers of hope planted in the rocky crevices have blossomed into blooms of prosperity, ecology, and happiness.

　　　　“Relying on the mountain to live off the mountain— who says this land can’t sustain us? We will grow even better honeysuckle, improve the environment further, and ensure our children and grandchildren can live and thrive here!” This is the heartfelt voice of the people of Dasuijing Village, and also the voice of the 430,000 cadres and residents of Anlong.