Yaolugou Millet

Yaolugou Millet

Yaolugou Millet is a product with protected geographical indication.

　　Yaolugou Millet is a specialty of Yaolugou Township, Jianchang County, Huludao City, Liaoning Province. Zhangtaizi in Yaolugou Township is known as the "Little Granary of Jianchang" and is famed for its millet production. Thanks to its high altitude and long hours of sunlight, the millet here matures well, with plump grains and rich nutrition. Yaolugou Millet has been granted protected geographical indication status.

　　Zhangtaizi Village in Yaolugou, Jianchang County, is renowned for its millet production. As early as during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi, the millet was honored as tribute rice by the royal family due to its yellow color, rich starch content, and abundance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and various health benefits essential to the human body. This distinction stems from the area’s high elevation and extended sunshine, which result in well-matured, highly nutritious millet. Additionally, traditional farming and processing methods are employed, including the use of only organic manure—some farmers even apply ground sesame as base fertilizer—making it a purely green, pollution-free product. The product was inspected and certified as "Pollution-Free Agricultural Product" by the provincial Department of Agriculture, receiving an official certificate. In 2006, the National Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture issued Yaolugou Grain Production Cooperative with a "Pollution-Free High-Quality Product Certificate."

　　In accordance with the "Regulations on the Protection of Products with Geographical Indications," the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine organized experts to review the application for protected geographical indication status of Yaolugou Millet. Upon passing the review, Yaolugou Millet was officially approved as a product with protected geographical indication, with protection taking effect immediately.

　　The administrative regions currently under the jurisdiction of four townships in Jianchang County, Liaoning Province: Yaolugou Township, Laodaizhangzi Township, Toutouyingzi Township, and Weijialing Township

　　"Letter from the People’s Government of Jianchang County Regarding the Designation of the Name and Geographic Scope of the Protected Geographical Indication Product – Yaolugou Millet," Jianzheng [2012] No. 113

　　Huludao City Agricultural Standard Specifications:

　　DB211400/T002-2012 "Production Technical Regulations for Yaolugou Millet"

　　Quality and Technical Requirements for Yaolugou Millet

　　I. Varieties

　　Varieties such as Chaogu No. 9, Chaogu No. 11, Zhaomeng No. 21, and the Tiegu series.

　　II. Growing Conditions

　　Altitude within the production area ranges from 300m to 700m, with soil types being brown earth and cinnamon soil. Organic matter content must be ≥1.0%, and soil pH value should range from 6.0 to 8.0.

　　III. Cultivation Management

　　1. Sowing: Plowing depth should reach 18cm to 20cm. Sowing takes place between mid-April and mid-May, when the soil temperature at a depth of 5cm to 10cm stabilizes above 10°C. Seeds are sun-dried for 2 to 3 days before sowing. Sowing depth is 2cm to 3cm.

　　2. Fertilization: Each 667㎡ (mu) must be applied with ≥2000kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer annually.

　　3. Field Management: Three rounds of weeding and hoeing are conducted, during the seedling stage, jointing stage, and booting stage respectively.

　　4. Environmental and Safety Requirements: The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and similar inputs must comply with national regulations, and environmental contamination is not permitted.

　　IV. Harvesting and Processing

　　1. Harvesting: From late August to early September, harvesting occurs when over two-thirds of the grains on the entire plant have matured, that is, when the grains exhibit the variety's natural color.

　　2. Processing Procedure: Sorting → Stone Removal → Screening → Milling → Fan Dust Removal → Selection → Packaging → Warehousing.

　　V. Quality Characteristics

　　1. Sensory Characteristics: Grains are uniform and plump, with bright, vivid yellow color and no obvious color variation. Semi-transparent with a smooth texture and a natural, refreshing fragrance. After cooking, the rice emits a strong aroma, with grains appearing full and golden, soft yet not sticky, and not hardening upon cooling. When used for making porridge, the rice and broth blend seamlessly, producing a pure-colored, aromatic soup with low grain expansion.

　　2. Physicochemical Indicators: Amylose content 12% to 20%, gel consistency ≥100 mm, crude fat content ≥2.5%, selenium content ≥0.015 mg/kg, vitamin B1 content ≥0.15 mg/100g, vitamin B2 content ≥0.01 mg/100g.

　　3. Safety and Other Quality Technical Requirements: Product safety and other quality technical requirements must comply with national regulations.