Zhuolu County, Hebei: It's apricot kernel harvest time again

As the nation's “home of kernel apricots” and the largest production base and sales distribution center for apricot kernels in China, Zhuolu County is leveraging the advantages of its traditional apricot kernel industry to build an industrial setup driven by production bases, led by flagship enterprises and operated through branding. At present, the county's apricot kernel planting area has reached more than 600,000 mu, covering 14 townships across the county. In Wujiagou Town, Huiyao Town and Dabao Town, this accounts for 60% of the county's economic forest area, with output reaching 15 million kg, and it has become a pillar industry benefiting more than 100,000 farmers.

In areas such as Fanshan Town, 6 apricot kernel planting bases of more than 10,000 mu each have been planned, while existing wild apricot varieties have been used to graft “Youyi” and “You'er” to renovate more than 100,000 mu of orchards. A three-tier technical service network at the county, township and village levels has been established, providing farmers with technical training every year. An “Apricot Kernel Frost Prevention Emergency Plan” has been formulated, and three major projects have been implemented: the “10,000-mu Apricot Kernel Shelterbelt Construction,” the “Hundred-Li Smoke Heating for Temperature Increase” and the “100,000-mu Grafting Renovation.” High-quality scion wood of “Weixuan No. 1,” which has strong cold resistance and resistance to late frost, has been specially introduced.

By adopting models such as “company + base + farmers” and “cooperative + base + farmers,” the county vigorously cultivates flagship enterprises and large-scale growers. The integrated industrial chain of production, processing and sales is steadily being consolidated, and deep processing is driving the development of the apricot kernel industry across the county and surrounding areas.