Acheng Sticky Corn

Acheng Sticky Corn

Acheng Sticky Corn is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Acheng District is one of the districts and counties in Harbin with a relatively large area of corn cultivation, where the corn economy plays an important role in the district’s total agricultural production value.

　　The Acheng sticky corn planting base is situated in the first accumulated temperature zone of Heilongjiang Province, making it highly suitable for the growth of sticky corn. Moreover, the unique geographical climate and favorable rainfall have created the distinctive quality of Acheng sticky corn. Especially since 1997, the introduction and promotion of the Ken-nian No.1 corn hybrid variety in our district has continuously improved farmers’ planting techniques and gradually strengthened their market awareness. To date, high-efficiency sticky corn cultivation techniques—including early-cropping, late-cropping, and timely-cropping models—have been widely adopted across the district, becoming a highlight of Acheng’s crop farming. Nine towns began to achieve a certain scale of sticky corn planting starting in 1997, established sticky corn production associations, and developed their own product brands. Typical examples include Yazigou Town’s Yazhan Village and Jixiang Village, which formed the Yazigou Sticky Rice Dumpling Association to collectively manage the production, processing, and sales processes, and created multiple sticky rice dumpling product brands with unified packaging. These products are sold to major cities such as Harbin, Shenyang, Changchun, Beijing, Jinan, and Guangzhou. In 2000, with the development of the market economy, contract farming began to be adopted by sticky corn growers in Acheng, with notable examples including Xinxin Village and Yanchuan Village in Xinli Street, who signed a 2,600-mu contract with Harbin Shunda Agricultural By-products Processing Co., Ltd. In 2007, Lingxi Village in Dalin Township signed a 2,700-mu contract for white sticky corn with Chongqing Caihua Trading Co., Ltd. The late-cropping technique for Acheng sticky corn promoted the establishment and development of local frozen sticky corn enterprises. The district has 35,000 mu of late-cropped sticky corn, yielding 98 million fresh ears, which are purchased and stored by local and Harbin cold storage and processing enterprises for off-season sales to major southern cities.

　　Acheng Sticky Corn is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　 Geographical Scope

　　The Acheng sticky corn production area is located in the northwest of Acheng District, situated on the Songnen Plain and the upper reaches of the Songhua River, within the North Central Temperate Zone. It lies along the valleys and plains on both sides of the Ashi River and its tributaries, as well as the low-lying marshlands on the southern bank of the Songhua River. The region enjoys a mild climate, abundant sunshine, ample rainfall, and fertile soil, all of which are suitable for growing sticky corn. Its geographical coordinates are between 126°40' and 127°40' east longitude, and 45°10' and 46° north latitude. The production area spans nine towns and 16 villages: Shengxiang Village, Minxing Village, and Sanyang Village in Shuangfeng Street; Fanshen Village in Yangshu Township; Xinxin Village and Yanchuan Village in Xinli Street; Xinhe Village and She Li Village in She Li Street; Beihong Village in Liaodian Township; Feiketu Village in Feikutu Town; Lingxi Village in Dalin Township; Yazhan Village and Jixiang Village in Yazigou Town; Shahe Village, Bonian Village, and Jiaojie Village in Jiaojie Township. The total protected geographical area covers 48,411 hectares, with an annual total yield of 80,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Acheng sticky corn cobs are large with plump kernels and translucent grains. The grains come in golden yellow, light white, white, and even colorful varieties. Acheng sticky corn has a sweet, fragrant, and glutinous taste.   2. Internal Quality Indicators: The amylopectin (starch fraction) content of Acheng sticky corn exceeds 99%, making it ideal for fresh consumption and suitable for processing specialty foods. When the sticky corn kernels are cooked into porridge, they resemble pearls—viscous, soft, and rich in nutrition. Paired with red beans, longan, and others, it can be made into Pearl Treasure Porridge, stimulating appetite, aiding digestion, and improving dietary variety. Sticky corn can also be processed into powder for use as a staple food to diversify the currently limited range of main food options. The magnesium and calcium content in Acheng sticky corn is higher than that of common grains and ordinary sticky corn. Each 100g of sticky corn contains over 7mg of calcium and over 56mg of magnesium, effectively dilating blood vessels, preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, eliminating free radicals, reducing wrinkles, combating aging. It contains 17 types of amino acids totaling over 9.6%, making it a healthy food that boosts the immune system.   3. Safety Requirements: The production environment of Acheng sticky corn meets the NY 5332-2006 standards for pollution-free field crop production environments; pesticide usage complies with the GB/T 8321 standard for the rational use of pesticides and GB 4285 for safe pesticide application; the product execution standard adheres to NY 5302-2005 for pollution-free corn.