Baoshan Tobacco Leaves

Baoshan Tobacco Leaves

Baoshan tobacco leaves are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Baoshan tobacco leaves have a long history of cultivation. The Ming Dynasty’s famous pharmacologist Zhang Jiebin wrote in his book Jingyue Quanshu that from the 14th year of the Hongwu era (1381) to the 13th year of the Zhengtong era (1448), during the Ming army's western campaign against Luchuan (present-day Ruili), soldiers were observed “smoking tobacco to prevent malaria.” This shows that tobacco was planted and consumed as herbal smoke in western Yunnan (including today’s Baoshan). As American tobacco gradually spread to the Eurasian continent, Myanmar and India successfully introduced it after 1599. The “Puzi tobacco” grown in counties such as Tengchong at the time was introduced via the Southern Silk Road from regions like Myanmar and India. According to the Tengyue Zhou Zhi (Annals of Tengyue Prefecture), between the end of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1620) and the first year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1736)—over a century—tobacco cultivation in Tengyue counties had developed to the point where “even tribal lands grew the plant,” becoming a “year-round agricultural product.” By the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1875–1908), sun-cured tobacco from Tengchong and other areas, aside from being grown and smoked by farmers themselves, was already processed into distinctive cut tobacco for market sale and export to Myanmar and Thailand. In the 35th year of the Republic of China (1946), the manager of Baoshan Maoheng Trading Firm returned to his hometown in Shidian and established the Baoshan Border Development Cooperative Farm, where he introduced the American flue-cured tobacco variety Dahaiyuan. The trial planting succeeded on 300 acres. In the 36th year of the Republic (1947), over 1,000 acres were planted, and by the 38th year (1949), this had expanded to 2,000 acres. In the 37th year (1948), the provincial government designated Baoshan (including present-day Shidian County), Tengchong, and Longling as promotion zones for flue-cured tobacco, with the region’s flue-cured tobacco area growing to 4,000 acres that year. In the mid-1950s after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the area under flue-cured tobacco cultivation expanded rapidly. After 1958, however, influenced by the “Five Winds” campaign and the “grain-first” policy during that period, flue-cured tobacco cultivation declined year by year, until planting largely stopped across the region by 1961. In 1985, the Baoshan Prefectural Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to adjust the agricultural industrial structure and emphasize the development of tobacco production. From 1985 to 2005, Baoshan’s flue-cured tobacco industry went through three phases: trial planting and promotion, rapid development, and steady growth. The tobacco industry was gradually cultivated into a pillar of Baoshan’s economic development. In 1986, pilot sites were set up in Baoshan, Shidian, and Tengchong counties (cities), with a total of 718 acres of flue-cured tobacco planted. 61,800 kilograms of tobacco leaves were purchased, of which 65.5% were classified as upper and medium-grade. In 1988, 51,217 acres were planted, yielding 3.1057 million kilograms of tobacco leaves, 74.40% of which were upper and medium-grade, further advancing flue-cured tobacco production. By 1990, the region had 76,100 acres of flue-cured tobacco, producing 3.545 million kilograms of leaves, 70.87% of which were upper and medium-grade, laying a solid foundation for rapid development. The 1990s saw historic, leapfrog growth in Baoshan’s tobacco production. In 1992, the planting area exceeded 350,000 acres, with 35.14 million kilograms of leaves purchased. The number of farming households increased from 60,400 the previous year to 106,800, covering 179,600 acres of contiguous regional planting and 72,300 acres of field-planted tobacco. Tobacco-related fiscal revenue accounted for 20.8% of the region’s total. In 1997, the planting area expanded to 535,000 acres, involving 75 townships (towns), 310,000 households, and 1.06 million people. Tobacco leaf purchases reached 48.06 million kilograms, with a per-acre yield of 90 kilograms, generating 174 million yuan in agricultural special tax. Leaf purchase volume, yield per acre, and tax revenue all hit record highs. Entering the 21st century, Baoshan’s flue-cured tobacco entered a phase of stable development. In 2000, 236,100 acres were planted, yielding 26.145 million kilograms of leaves, with an average yield of 110.7 kilograms per acre and an overall grade qualification rate of 78.02%. In 2005, 319,900 acres were planted, producing 41.485 million kilograms of leaves, with an average yield of 129.69 kilograms per acre. Upper and medium-grade leaves made up 87.89% of the harvest, earning positive reviews from manufacturers inside and outside the province. Stable purchasing relationships were established with more than 20 manufacturers including those in Kunming, Changde, Changsha, and Nanjing. Baoshan’s flue-cured tobacco production thus entered a track of quality-and-benefit-oriented development. Baoshan flue-cured tobacco cultivation has broad popular support. Over years of practice, farmers have accumulated rich experience. Baoshan tobacco leaves are distinguished by their “clean, sweet, fragrant, and mellow” characteristics. They are golden or orange-yellow in color, with minimal difference between the front and back of the leaf, consistent hue from tip to base, bright gloss, loose tissue, moderate oil content, suitable leaf thickness, good aging potential, and are ideal for primary blending in flue-cured cigarette blends. In 2011 and 2012, the leaves received organic product certification from the Hangzhou Zhongnong Quality Certification Center for two consecutive years. Comprehensive quality evaluations from Hunan Tobacco Group, Yunnan Tobacco Group, and the Tobacco Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences stated: “The chemical composition of Baoshan’s clean-sweet-mellow flue-cured tobacco falls within appropriate ranges, and the leaves are relatively safe,” and “Baoshan’s clean-sweet-mellow tobacco has a bright, fresh aroma, a rich and deep base note, good fragrance texture, thick and full smoke concentration, good aroma diffusion, and a certain level of sweetness. Its internal chemical components are well-balanced, its sensory quality is generally excellent, and it shows good compatibility, possessing the quality traits of a primary tobacco leaf.” From 2007 to 2011, the Baoshan tobacco region cumulatively produced 5.362 million dan (approximately 268,100 metric tons) of clean-sweet-mellow flue-cured tobacco for national cigarette manufacturers, generating cumulative sales income of 4.004 billion yuan for tobacco farmers and 881 million yuan in agricultural special tax over five years. Clean-sweet-flavored tobacco has become a strong pillar supporting local farmers’ income growth, increased fiscal revenue, and broader socioeconomic development. The Baoshan Municipal People’s Government has pointed out that the key to achieving leapfrog development in the rural economy lies in the tobacco industry: With tobacco thriving, industries thrive; with tobacco developing, the rural economy grows, and farmers’ incomes are secured.

　　Region

　　Baoshan tobacco leaves are produced in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, covering four counties and one district: Tengchong County, Shidian County, Longling County, Changning County, and Longyang District. The geographical coordinates are between 98°25′–100°02′ east longitude and 24°08′–25°51′ north latitude. The planting area spans 120,000 hectares, with an annual cultivation area of 40,000 hectares and an annual production of 1.8 million dan (90 million kilograms).