Lokezhe Chili Peppers

Lokezhe Chili Peppers

　　Lokezhe Village is under the jurisdiction of Weimo Yi Ethnic Township in Yanshan County, Yunnan Province, and has long had a tradition of growing chili peppers. Its chili peppers are known for being small in size, meaty, brightly colored, having a spicy skin, fragrant seeds, high caloric content, and rich in oil. In 2009, through the active efforts of Yanshan County, Lokezhe Village received funding support from the Ministry of Agriculture’s One Village One Product specialty industry project, choosing chili peppers as the dominant industry for the village’s production and development. In 2010, chili cultivation reached 10,154 mu, with a total yield of 1.288 million kilograms and an output value of 12.88 million yuan. There were 1,578 households engaged in the chili industry, with each household seeing an average annual income increase of 6,840 yuan and per capita income rising by 1,449 yuan.

　　The village implements contract-based planting, with over 90% of its chili production based on orders. A chili pepper base covering 7,580 mu has been established, forming an initial industrial system of leading enterprises + base. At the same time, the village actively promotes practical agricultural technologies, achieving full use of improved varieties and drought-resistant seedling transplanting. It has also actively applied compound fertilizers and special-purpose fertilizers, and determined reasonable planting densities based on the fertility levels of different plots to achieve optimal and effective population growth where individual plants and the overall crop develop in harmony.

　　Implementing the “One Village One Product” initiative has become an effective approach for Lokezhe Village to adjust its agricultural industrial structure and boost farmers’ incomes. The lives of Lokezhe Village’s farmers will flourish just like their bright red chili peppers.