Zhidan Apples

Zhidan Apples

　　Zhidan apples are a specialty of Zhidan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province. Zhidan apples are known for their high sugar content, firm texture, vibrant color, and excellent taste, making their quality comparable to those from Luochuan and Baota areas. They are also quite famous in surrounding counties and are highly favored by the public.

　　Zhidan County is situated in the hilly and gully region of the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi, featuring high altitude, abundant sunshine, large diurnal temperature variations, and fertile land. The county enjoys ample sunlight year-round, with an average annual sunshine duration of 2,332.1 hours, accounting for 52% of possible sunshine hours. The average annual rainfall is 525 mm. Overall, except for precipitation—which is close to the internationally recognized optimal level—Zhidan County meets all the climatic criteria for growing premium apples. In addition, global climate warming and the positive effects of the county’s Grain for Green (reforestation) program have led to a noticeable increase in rainfall.

　　Looking back at the history of apple development in Zhidan County, the area began introducing and planting apple trees as early as the 1970s, mainly cultivating varieties such as Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Qin Guan, and Jonathan. By the 1980s, the apple-growing area had once risen to over 30,000 mu, with several high-yield orchards emerging in places like Shizhuang in Yizheng Township, Anxingzhuang in Shunning Town, and Lijiawan in Shuanghe Township. These farms achieved annual per-mu incomes of 1,000–1,200 yuan, and the county’s total fruit industry revenue reached tens of millions of yuan. However, during the 1990s, due to structural adjustments in the agricultural sector, along with unresolved issues in public awareness, apple varieties, management practices, and natural disasters, most farmers saw low returns. As a result, apple orchard areas gradually declined. By the end of 2006, the remaining apple cultivation area was less than 10,000 mu, relying solely on spontaneous management by farmers. The apple industry as a whole declined from its former prosperity. Only a few scattered orchards survived after variety improvement efforts. Thanks to favorable natural conditions, the apples produced here still exhibit high sugar content, firm texture, vibrant color, and excellent taste, with quality comparable to those from Luochuan and Baota areas. Zhidan apples have also earned a strong reputation in neighboring counties and are beloved by many.

　　Through continued development, a number of leading apple growers have emerged, including in Nawa Village, Lijiawan Village, and Chenkuangke Village in Shuanghe Township. Townships such as Daban, Bao’an, and Xinghe have also established “ten-thousand-mu townships.” For example, Xing Zhigang, a resident of Nawa Village in Shuanghe Township with a family of seven, currently cultivates 28 mu of apple trees. This year, he harvested over 50,000 jin (approximately 25 tons) of apples, earning more than 200,000 yuan. Zhu Chengping from the same village planted 20 mu and earned 150,000 yuan. The apple industry has become the dominant sector in the village, accounting for over 80% of total farmer income. Apple farming alone generates a per capita net income of 4,000 yuan. In recent years, Zhidan County has vigorously developed its apple industry, with the current planting area exceeding 200,000 mu—an obvious increase compared to previous years.