In early autumn, traveling south along National Highway 211 through Ning County, rows of dwarf fruit trees are neatly arranged on both sides of the road, with red apples hanging from branches and filling the air with fragrance. As one of China's key advantageous apple development regions, Ning County has positioned the apple industry as one of its six major industries in recent years. The county committee and government have focused on improving apple industry quality and efficiency through strengthened industrial coordination, optimized production-sales connections, and initiatives to increase residents' income, consistently developing and strengthening the apple industry to create tangible results that contribute to rural revitalization.
**Strengthening Foundation Through Base Construction** **Premium Varieties Yield "Prosperity Fruits"**
At Jinnongh Company's Liangping planting base in Ning County, bright red, plump early-ripening apples appear vibrant against the blue sky and green leaves. Workers move between tree rows picking, sorting, and boxing fruit. "In the past, we mainly planted tall-growing fruit trees, which had delayed fruiting, low efficiency, time-consuming management, high water and fertilizer inputs, and low yields," said Yang Xuwen, the base manager. "Don't underestimate these dwarf trees. They can achieve flowering in the first year, fruiting in the second year, abundant harvest in the third year, and peak production in the fifth year. From spraying to fertilizing to harvesting, everything can be mechanized, saving time and labor while increasing yields."
To improve apple quality, Ning County has introduced premium seedlings, adopted world-advanced dwarf high-density planting technology and integrated water-fertilizer intelligent drip irrigation systems, and invited global cultivation experts for guidance. The county has also adopted internationally advanced management concepts, production technologies, and planting models, exploring and forming the "Ning County Model" of apple production featuring "three highs and five modernizations" - high positioning, high technology, high efficiency, along with quality seedling varieties, dwarf high-density cultivation, mechanized management, integrated water-fertilizer systems, and standardized products. Apples are harvested in batches based on sugar content, firmness, and coloring indicators, using Panasonic refrigeration and VA controlled atmosphere storage to ensure each apple maintains its natural luster and nutritional value after harvest.
As of August 25, Ning County's order volume exceeded 10,000 tons, with 77,000 tons of premium apples completely pre-sold, covering six advantageous varieties including Red Jonaprince and Hua Shuo. Early-ripening apple sales are expected to reach 684 million yuan this year, representing a 22.2% increase compared to the same period last year and setting a historical record, with distinctive advantages continuing to emerge.
**Strengthening Collaborative Development and Pooling Resources** **Cooperative Operations Activate "New Momentum"**
At Dongrun Fruit Industry's premium apple production base in Jiaocun Township, quality early-ripening varieties like Red Jonaprince and Gala have ripened first. Company manager Zhang Heng and workers are busy sorting, packaging, and pre-cooling, their faces beaming with harvest joy. "In previous years, affected by natural disasters like hail and frost, plus inadequate orchard management techniques, economic benefits were limited. After joining the Ning County Apple Association this year, the association sent professional technical personnel to provide comprehensive technical guidance on flower and fruit thinning, frost and freeze prevention. This year, both apple yield and quality have achieved new breakthroughs," Zhang Heng said.
The Ning County Apple Association Zhang Heng mentioned was established by Ning County to address the previous shortcoming of apple industry fragmentation, integrating over 100 planting, storage, processing enterprises and cooperatives. The association implements a "six unifications" model - unified standards, technology, agricultural materials, packaging, branding, and sales - achieving transformation from "individual efforts" to "cooperative development" in the apple industry.
The Ning County Apple Association provides comprehensive technical guidance to growers, offering precise assistance from flower and fruit thinning to frost and freeze prevention, improving apple yield and quality. It also reduces production costs through bulk purchasing of agricultural materials, establishes unified sales standards to enhance brand premiums, and precisely connects with 42 external merchants from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and other regions, effectively promoting premium apple sales.
**Focusing on Practical Benefits for Residents** **Industry Development Broadens "Income Channels"**
"I started working here when the base was just established in 2015, earning at least 10,000 yuan annually. It allows me to take care of my family while earning money - very convenient," said Liu Fangling, a resident of Beijie Village in Zaosheng Township, working at Jinnongh Company's Liangping planting base, deeply appreciating the benefits the base has brought.
Ning County consistently prioritizes increasing residents' income as its fundamental goal, using industrial development to drive employment and enabling residents to achieve prosperity "at their doorstep." After early-ripening apples begin harvesting, nearby residents actively engage in orchard work, balancing agricultural activities while adding substantial household income.
Relying on the mature apple industry chain, not only has an industrial alliance formed featuring shared technology, joint market development, and shared risks, integrating small farmers into large-scale industry, but through industrial radiation, it has also provided numerous flexible employment opportunities for surrounding farmers, allowing residents to share development dividends and genuinely enhancing their sense of gain and happiness.
Currently, Ning County has leveraged Jinnongh Company to drive long-term income increases across 18 townships, 241 village collectives, 9,060 consolidation and improvement households, and 1,733 general farming households throughout the county. The county has cumulatively distributed 111 million yuan in land transfer fees, 129 million yuan in labor wages, and 101 million yuan in village and household dividend funds to residents.