Haixi: Pioneer of a Workable Plan for Ecological, Economic and Social Development

Flourishing Goji Economy

Guided by the provincial strategy of building an environmentally strong Qinghai, Haixi’s goji berry cultivation has developed in leaps and bounds. The prefecture’s total plantation area has grown from a few sporadic patches to over 27,000 hectares since 2008. Haixi is now China’s second largest goji berry growing region, second only to Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Owing to long hours of sunshine, the large difference between day and night temperatures, and soil rich in potassium and nitrogen, the quality of goji berries here is markedly better than in other regions. Haixi’s dried Chinese goji berries have been certified as organic produce by China’s Quality Certification Center, and certification institutions in the EU, the U.S. and Japan. They are exported to Europe, the U.S. and other Asian countries. Exports of Haixi’s organic goji berries make up 90 percent of the national total.

The Qaidam Basin is one of the native sources of Chinese goji berry, and more than 10 wild varieties grow here. Goji berry trees aged more than 300 years can still be spotted in the region. Among them, the wild black goji berry is a rare species with a medicinal value far higher than that of other varieties. Despite this, no proper industry was formed, as only several small plantations existed.

Since 2008, when Haixi’s government named goji berry-planting as the priority industry for local development, the goji berry planting area has been expanded to 29,000 hectares. The annual export volume now stands at 800-900 tons, supported by favorable policies, the promotion of scientific planting, and the introduction of industry standards.

In 2015, the Haixi goji berry brand was assessed as having a net worth of RMB 8 billion. Goji berries account for nearly 50 percent of the output value of Haixi’s agricultural sector, and contribute to nearly 30 percent of the per capita disposable income of local farmers and herdsmen. Meanwhile, great efforts have been made to develop the goji berry processing industry.

In addition to dried and fresh goji berries, the region has developed more than 50 types of goji berry-related products, including condensed juice, beverages, liquor, powder and oil. A complete industrial chain has hence taken shape.This has effectively boosted the added value of the industry, increasing its comprehensive output to more than RMB 7 billion.

Nomuhong Farm set a Guinness World Record with its 5,533-hectare uninterrupted expanse of goji berry trees and its annual output exceeding RMB 800 million. Keluke Town’s 1,333-hectare organic goji berry export base is situated on a former desert. Last year, one farmer earned RMB 920,000 in sales of goji berries to Qinghai Kangpu Biotech Co., Ltd. In Longyang Village, Golmud City, all farmers live in villas and drive cars, thanks to goji berry cultivation. Goji berries, like little rubies, bring wealth to local farmers.