China: Luzhou Mountain vegetables to reach 200,000 acres by 2016

In the southern part of Sichuan Province, Luzhou Municipal Bureau of Agriculture reports that in 2013 Luzhou City’s vegetable plantation will reach 930,000 acres, with a total output of 2,030,000 tons. 50,000 acres of that area is in the high mountains and produce an output of 250,000 tons.

The Bureau goes on to say that the city will accelerate the development of the vegetable industry in mountains to ensure off-season vegetable supply. By 2016, they expect to have a total of 200,000 acres of mountain vegetables.

Luzhou’s mountain areas, with an annual average temperature of 17-18 degrees, high organic matter content in the soil, moderate acidity, is very suitable for growing vegetables. The location could be fully utilized and can make up for the seasonal differences in vegetable planting.

The plains of Luzhou City are good for planting in the early spring and autumn. In the off-season, vegetables can be planted in the high mountains and can be harvested in autumn and winter. At present, Luzhou mountain vegetables produce tomatoes eggplants, bitter gourd, carrots, hot pepper, kale, Chinese cabbage, and other varieties. Other vegetables will also be introduced that are more suitable for growth in the high areas.

Growing vegetables in the mountains has its advantages. There are fewer pests and diseases so the use of pesticides is significantly less. Due to the difference in temperatures during the day and night, vegetables contain more sugar, so the taste is also better. It has its disadvantages though. Mountain vegetable cultivation has higher costs therefore the vegetables are more expensive.