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Almond cultivation becomes a new project for becoming wealthy

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Almond, also known as sweet almond, is an excellent dried fruit, woody oil and soil-conservation tree species of the genus Prunus in the rose family. Its total annual output, as well as its trade volume and trade value on the international market, all rank first among the world's four major dried fruits. China began introducing it in 1994, and after many years of trials and demonstrations, ideal results have been achieved. Almond has the characteristics of drought resistance, tolerance to poor soil, high quality and high yield, and high economic value. It is an ideal tree species for developing economic forests in the arid and semi-arid areas of northern China, especially in limestone mountainous areas, and has been listed by the Ministry of Agriculture as a project for promotion. Developing it according to local conditions

Almond, also known as sweet almond, is an excellent dried fruit, woody oil and soil-conservation tree species of the genus Prunus in the rose family. Its total annual output, as well as its trade volume and trade value on the international market, all rank first among the world's four major dried fruits. China began introducing it in 1994, and after many years of trials and demonstrations, ideal results have been achieved. Almond has the characteristics of drought resistance, tolerance to poor soil, high quality and high yield, and high economic value. It is an ideal tree species for developing economic forests in the arid and semi-arid areas of northern China, especially in limestone mountainous areas, and has been listed by the Ministry of Agriculture as a project for promotion. Developing almond production according to local conditions will produce major benefits in comprehensive small-watershed soil and water management and in the construction of ecological agriculture. Many provinces and cities in China are optimistic about the extremely high value and broad market prospects of almond.

1. Nutritional value of almond kernels. Almond kernels have extremely high nutritional value. The kernels contain 45%-60% oil (free of erucic acid), 24.13% of 18 amino acids; 15%-30% protein, 2%-10% sugar, and 2.46%-3.48% crude fiber; they are rich in vitamin A1, B1, B2 and carotene, as well as the 18 trace elements needed by the human body such as the minerals zinc, iron and selenium, among which 7 all exceed those of walnut and sea buckthorn, and VB2 and VE are 19 times those of walnut. According to measurements, every 100 grams of almond kernels contain 805 mg potassium, 385 mg calcium and 451 mg phosphorus. The nutritional value of almond ranks at the top among dried fruits. Its kernels can be used to make pastries, candies, nutritional meals, processed canned goods, etc., and can also be eaten directly. In the 19th century in countries such as Spain and Italy, almond was regarded as a noble food, and it has now gradually become a fine nutritional product for the general public.

2. Medicinal value of almond kernels. Almond kernels contain 2%-8% amygdalin (that is, bitter almond principle), which has the functions for the human body of nourishing yin and tonifying the kidney, strengthening the spleen, nourishing the stomach and moistening the lungs, relieving hunger and dispelling cold, and dispelling wind and stopping diarrhea. It is usually used to relieve cough and eliminate phlegm, is a good medicine for treating bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma, and can also treat gastrointestinal mucosal inflammation. According to research by American scholars, almond powder has good effects in treating diabetes, nephritis and epilepsy. In recent years it has been found that amygdalin also has good efficacy in killing cancer cells and preventing cancer. Almond kernels also contain medicinal components for treating coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and other conditions.

3. Economic, social and ecological benefits of almond. Almond is a fast-growing tree species, and its annual growth is 1-2 times that of other dried fruit tree species. Almond has a well-developed root system and is cold-resistant and drought-resistant, and can play a very good role in greening barren hills, soil and water conservation, and small-watershed and desertification management. The almond trunk is thick and strong, grows fast, and has abundant flowers and lush leaves, with good ornamental value and the effect of beautifying the environment. Almond bears fruit 3 years after planting, and the fruiting period lasts as long as 20 years. In the full fruiting period, the yield per mu is 180-220 kg, and the annual income can reach 3000-4000 yuan. Almond kernels are favored by the international market and can be exported in large quantities. The export price of almond kernels is 2-3 times that of traditional bitter apricot kernels, and 1.4-1.7 times higher than that of sweet orange kernels. The price of unprocessed almond kernels can reach 4000 USD/ton. If other crops are interplanted in the planting space, the benefits are even higher. Vigorously developing almond production can not only satisfy the domestic market, but also allow participation in competition in the international market. It is truly a rare good project for the broad masses of farmers to escape poverty and become wealthy.

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