Guojiashan Citrus

Guojiashan Citrus

　　Chenggu has long been known for producing “tribute oranges,” earning the beautiful title of “Orange Town.” For thousands of years, despite ups and downs, its citrus cultivation has endured. During the Ninth Five-Year Plan period, leveraging this unique ecological advantage, the county actively adjusted its agricultural structure and vigorously promoted the industrialization of citrus, achieving major breakthroughs. The county’s citrus planting area reached over 100,000 mu, with a yield of more than 45,000 metric tons, generating an annual output value of nearly 50 million yuan. The industry has shown strong growth momentum, becoming one of the county’s pillar agricultural sectors and a new growth point in the rural economy. Citrus has risen to become the largest production base in the northwest and even the northernmost region of China. “Shengxian Honey Oranges” are renowned far and wide, famous nationwide. Chenggu citrus boasts a distinctive flavor—sweet with a hint of acidity and a refreshing, crisp taste, giving it a clear competitive edge. The fruit matures early, hitting the market 15–20 days ahead of other production areas. The rind is slightly thicker, making it less prone to spoilage, suitable for storage, preservation, and long-distance transportation.

　　Marketing costs are low. Chenggu is close to various provinces in the northwest, so for northern merchants transporting fresh fruit from Chenggu, the freight is 0.3 to 0.5 yuan per kilogram lower than sourcing from southern production areas. Additionally, the shorter transport time results in less spoilage and easier market capture. (Chenggu)

　　Guojiashan Village in Juyuan Town, Chenggu County, Shaanxi Province, has fully leveraged its local ecological resource advantages to develop the citrus industry. The village’s total citrus cultivation area covers 2,200 mu, accounting for 95.6% of its total arable land. The number of laborers engaged in citrus production is 858, making up 94.3% of the village’s total working population. The annual citrus output reaches over 6,000 metric tons, with a production value exceeding 9 million yuan. In 2011, the per capita net income of villagers reached 6,978 yuan, which was 33.4% higher than the city’s average per capita income for farmers.

　　　　The village has been successively awarded titles such as the Ecological Citrus Science and Technology Demonstration Garden of Southern Shaanxi, the National Agricultural (Citrus) Standardization Demonstration Village, and the National “One Village One Product” Citrus Industry Demonstration Village by provincial and national authorities. In 2011, it was honored as one of the first “National One Village One Product Demonstration Villages” by the Ministry of Agriculture.