Creating a "Purple Miracle" on the Gobi Desert - A New Observation on the Development of Ningxia Wine Industry Grapes | Ningxia
The Helan Mountains have overlapping peaks and steep cliffs, overlooking the Ningxia Plain to the east. Between the foot of the mountain and the plain, there used to be a narrow and ancient Gobi. The rise and rapid development of the wine industry in Ningxia have made this barren desert a treasure trove of high-quality wine grapes. Nowadays, 138 million bottles of wine are exported from here to the world every year, not only generating considerable "purple economic" benefits, but also supporting the "green hope" of the eastern foothills of Helan and the "dream of enriching farmers and increasing income".
Rising "Big Industry"
For a long time, the Gobi Desert on the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain has been regarded as an "agricultural forbidden zone", where gravel is scattered and the soil is barren. Due to sparse vegetation, "wind carrying sand" was once the norm, and most crops grown here are difficult to achieve decent harvests. However, a group of cadres and industry pioneers who dare to think and try have brought new hope here.
The wind blew from the depths of Helan Mountain, brushing over the vineyards at the foot of the mountain that were hard to reach at a glance. In a wine cellar covering an area of 5000 square meters, automated equipment maintains constant temperature and humidity throughout the four seasons, with 2000 oak barrels arranged in rows. International wine competition award certificates are placed one by one, and more than ten meters long display shelves are placed.
On June 8th, at the Helan Shen Winery located on the eastern foot of Helan Mountain, staff were preparing to sample and analyze oak barrel red wine in the wine cellar. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Peng
This wine cellar is the proud work of Chen Deqi, the founder of Helanshen International Winery. In 2007, Fujian businessman Chen Deqi visited Ningxia for inspection and keenly smelled business opportunities on the Gobi Desert at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain. "The terroir here is too suitable for growing wine grapes. At that time, I was certain that this place could produce world-renowned wines," said Chen Deqi. Subsequently, he lived in a greenhouse on the Gobi Desert, ate instant noodles, and directed the construction of a 100000 acre grape planting base and a winery. This persistence ultimately earned his wine recognition in the market.
Chen Deqi's judgment at that time has now become a consensus in the industry. The eastern foothills of Helan Mountain are located in the "golden zone" of wine grape cultivation at around 38 degrees north latitude. This area has a suitable altitude, sufficient sunlight, large temperature difference between day and night, dry and mild climate, good soil permeability, and is rich in minerals. The wine produced has a bright color, full body, rich aroma, and balanced sweetness, making it a high-end wine "golden production area" in the eyes of industry insiders.
The wine grape planting base located at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Peng
A change of mindset broadens the world. Ningxia, located in the northwest inland region, is economically underdeveloped and faces disadvantages such as mountains, rivers, drought, and weak industrial foundation. However, local cadres and masses have fully utilized their subjective initiative to turn resource disadvantages into industrial advantages. The comprehensive output value of the wine industry has reached 34.27 billion yuan, becoming one of the "six special" industries that Ningxia focuses on developing, and also making Ningxia a rising star in the world wine family.
At present, the planting area of wine grapes in Ningxia has reached 583000 acres, making it the largest concentrated and contiguous wine grape production area in China. The former Gobi Desert produces 138 million bottles of wine annually. More than 60 local wineries have won thousands of awards in heavyweight international competitions, and their wines are exported to over 40 countries and regions.
On June 7th, at Xige Winery located on the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain, a worker worked at a wine grape planting base. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Feng Kaihua
Thick planting of "big ecology"
In 2021, the National Comprehensive Pilot Zone for the Open Development of Grape and Wine Industry settled in Ningxia, where a series of new technologies, models, and formats were implemented and developed, further promoting the new concept of high-quality industrial development.
During the rainy season and the emergence of awns, seedlings have been planted in all four fields. These days, hundreds of thousands of acres of grapes in Ningxia have entered the flowering period, and some early maturing varieties have already produced fruits. Driving along the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain, a long corridor composed of vineyards and windbreak forests surges with greenery, forming a network of forests and a square garden. Different shapes of wineries are dotted among them, like pearls.
The wine industry is the "purple dream" and "green hope" of Ningxia. After years of development, "Little Grape" has established a "big ecosystem" in Ningxia. Ningxia has included the construction of the wine grape base in the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain as a key support for ecological protection and restoration projects, focusing on the construction of 195 kilometers of wine grape planting corridors. Abandoned mines have been turned into ecological wineries, and tens of thousands of acres of wasteland have become grape oases. The path of promoting economic development and environmental protection is becoming wider and wider.
Zhihui Yuanshi Winery is located on the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Peng
Walking into the Helan Mountain Sports and Leisure Park located within the Zhihui Yuanshi Winery, the lush trees and sparkling lake light make it hard to imagine that this was once a mining collapse area of Helan Mountain where sand and rocks were scattered. Yuan Yuan, the owner of Zhihui Yuanshi Winery, said that since entering the wine industry in 2008, the winery has planted 3000 acres of wine grapes and 9000 acres of trees on the Gobi Desert, and has carried out ecological restoration on 6000 acres of abandoned mining areas.
One of the main characteristics of Ningxia's wine industry is that it does not compete with people for food, does not compete with food for land, and efficiently utilizes water resources. The local grape planting base is mainly constructed on the desert wasteland, and water-saving irrigation technology is widely used. According to statistics, by planting wine grapes, 350000 acres of barren land have been transformed into oases in the local area. With the addition of winery greening and nearly 60000 acres of protective forests, the forest coverage in the production area has been greatly improved, further strengthening the ecological barrier at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain.
On June 8th, at Zhihui Yuanshi Winery located on the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain, tourists visited the brewing workshop for sightseeing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Peng
On the intelligent vineyard irrigation data platform of COFCO Changcheng Talent Winery, soil moisture, vineyard meteorological data, irrigation water flow rate and other data are clear at a glance. The staff clicks on their phones, and water droplets accurately fall from the drip irrigation belt onto the roots of the grape vines. "Now we can precisely control the water consumption, adjust deficit irrigation, and ensure grape quality," said Du Zhenjiang, the general manager of the winery. This system reduces the annual water consumption of each acre of vineyard to below 200 cubic meters, greatly saves manpower, and adds wings of wisdom to the practice of green industrial development.
On June 5th, Du Zhenjiang, General Manager of COFCO Great Wall Talent Winery, introduced the winery's intelligent vineyard irrigation data platform. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Feng Kaihua
Green mountains and clear waters are like mountains of gold and silver, and improving the ecological environment is like developing productivity.
Nowadays, Ningxia wineries receive over 1.35 million tourists annually. During this year's May Day holiday, the number of tourists received in Ningxia increased by 137.95% year-on-year, and tourism revenue increased by 527.27% year-on-year. Many tourists not only checked in to traditional tourist attractions, but also visited wineries for sightseeing and wine tasting. "Winery tours" have become an indispensable element in the development of comprehensive tourism in Ningxia.
Touching the "Great Livelihood"
Haoyuan Village, Beibao Town, Xixia District, Yinchuan City is located at the core of the wine production area on the eastern foot of Helan Mountain. Previously, the land here was barren, and the villagers worked hard in the fields for a year without producing much food. This has inspired many people to plan to go out and find another way out.
In recent years, with the rapid development of the wine industry in Ningxia, wineries around the village have sprung up like mushrooms after rain, and land unsuitable for growing crops has become fertile ground for grape growth. Haoyuan Village seized the opportunity to establish a labor export association, providing nearby employment opportunities for villagers. Some villagers also transferred their land to the winery for unified management, and the annual land transfer fee is also a considerable income. The villagers have improved their lives and their hearts have settled down.
The COFCO Great Wall Talent Winery Grape Planting Base utilizes a smart vineyard irrigation system to accurately control water usage and carry out deficit irrigation. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Feng Kaihua
The wine industry is not only a characteristic industry of Ningxia, but also a typical industry that enriches the people. Local people are increasingly participating and sharing the benefits of development.
Su Jinping, a villager from Haoyuan Village, entered a winery in the village more than a decade ago to work. Now, she is the "director" of the winery's vineyard, responsible for the daily management of over 300 acres of vineyards and over 1000 acres of orchards with over 20 workers. "At first, my monthly salary was only 400 yuan, but now it has increased nearly 10 times. My husband also works at a winery in the village, and our combined monthly income is nearly 10000 yuan." Su Jinping said, relying on the wine industry, the couple bought a house here to settle down and support their son's college education. Recently, they are planning to buy a new house in the city.
Industrial revitalization is the top priority of rural revitalization. To promote industrial revitalization, we need to thoroughly understand the three words "local specialties". Ningxia relies on its unique resources to seek benefits from developing multiple agricultural functions and tapping into the diverse values of rural areas. It also seeks benefits from the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, while retaining the value-added benefits of agricultural products in rural areas and for farmers. Nowadays, the wine industry in Ningxia provides nearly 130000 employment opportunities for farmers around the production area every year, and wineries pay farmers about 1 billion yuan in annual wages. Nearly one-third of local farmers' income comes from the wine industry.
On July 10, 2021, the Ningxia National Grape and Wine Industry Open Development Comprehensive Pilot Zone was established in Minning Town, Yongning County, Yinchuan City. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Feng Kaihua
From June 9th to 10th this year, the International Grape and Wine Industry Conference and the Third China International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo were held in Yinchuan, Ningxia. This will further promote the construction of the Ningxia National Grape and Wine Industry Open Development Comprehensive Pilot Zone, provide more carriers and resources for the comprehensive development of the wine industry in Ningxia, promote industrial integration and open development, and accelerate the realization of the beautiful vision of Chinese wine going global.
Ningxia also proposed the goal of achieving a scale of 1 million mu of wine grape base, an annual production of over 300 million bottles of high-quality wine, and a comprehensive output value of 100 billion yuan in the near future. A more brilliant "purple dream" will bloom on the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain.
"The development model of Ningxia's wine industry can maximize the creation of economic, social, and ecological value. This model has leadership and replicability in the development process of China's wine industry, and has a promising future," said Ma Huiqin, a professor at China Agricultural University.
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