Linxiang Pot Walnuts

Linxiang Pot Walnuts

　　Fengqing is one of the bases for constructing ten-thousand-mu high-quality pot walnut orchards in the Lincang region. Pot walnuts are suitable for cultivation over a wide area in Dasi, where local farmers have a long-standing tradition of growing them. The township currently has over 4,800 mu of productive walnut orchards, yielding 200 tons. In 2003, a high-quality pot walnut orchard covering 10,000 mu was established, and now the total walnut-growing area in the township has reached 15,000 mu. Third, it is a key area for ecological development in the Xiaowan Reservoir region. To support the construction of the Xiaowan Hydropower Station, Dasi Township has earnestly implemented the “Green Mountains Project” and the Grain for Green Program over the past two years, continuously strengthening ecological initiatives. From 2001 to 2003, a total of 13,000 mu of farmland were returned to forest, 9,000 mu of suitable barren hills were afforested, and 1,700 biogas pits were built. The current forest coverage rate is 39.9%, and it is expected to reach 50% by 2010. Fourth, it is among the eight key development zones in the Lincang region. Dasi Township is part of the development area of the Fengshan Zone. Currently, under the guidance of higher authorities, Dasi is spearheading a surge in the construction of “Three-Village” initiatives — “Civilized Villages, Ecological Villages, and Well-Off Villages.”

　　 　　In terms of attracting investment, Dasi Township holds significant potential. First, there is promising potential in rural small-town development. Private trade is active in Dasi, with six major market days throughout the township, all of which are bustling. The existing markets can no longer accommodate the growing number of visitors, making their renovation imperative. Currently, plans are underway for the development of three major market areas: Dasi, Pinghe, and Dahe. Second, there is untapped potential in the deep processing and marketing of agricultural and sideline products. Dasi has 19 collective tea primary processing sites and over 30 private processing facilities, which are numerous but small in scale. Meanwhile, products such as pot walnuts, silkworm breeding, and mountain pepper remain at the raw material production stage. Therefore, there is substantial potential for developing Dasi’s agricultural and sideline products. Third, tourism development in the Xiaowan Reservoir region holds vast commercial opportunities. Dasi lies within the area to be submerged by the Xiaowan Reservoir, and the 19-kilometer-long Fengxiao Highway (Fengqing–Xiaowan) passes through the township, bringing significant flows of people, vehicles, and goods, thus presenting huge potential for tourism development.