Apple Blossom Season Sees Farmers Busy in China’s Major Apple County Jingning

As spring unfolds, apple trees across Jingning County, China’s key apple-producing region in Gansu Province, are in full bloom. Local farmers are seizing the critical agricultural window to conduct flower thinning, pollination, fertilisation and other orchard management tasks, laying a solid foundation for a bumper apple harvest in autumn. With apple cultivation exceeding 1 million mu, the industry stands as the core driver of local farmers’ income growth.

Nestled in the 35°N "golden belt" for apple farming, Jingning boasts favourable conditions including ample sunlight, large day-night temperature differences and fertile soil, earning it the title of "China’s Hometown of Apples". As the country’s top county in terms of apple cultivation scale, it has developed a 40-year-old industry with a complete chain from planting to processing. The "Jingning Apple" brand, certified as a National Geographical Indication Product, is valued at 18.1 billion yuan and sold in over 30 countries worldwide.

During the current blossom period, orchards across Jingning are buzzing with activity. In organic demonstration orchards in Chuan Town, farmers carefully remove excess flowers to optimise fruit quality, while others spray pollen for artificial pollination to improve fruit set rates. Modern farming techniques are widely applied: drip irrigation systems deliver precise fertilisation, ensuring targeted nutrient supply for blooming trees.

To mitigate risks like late spring frosts, a major threat to apple blossoms, Jingning has implemented comprehensive prevention measures. The county has installed large-scale frost prevention machines, deployed heating furnaces and promoted antifreeze agents, covering over 200,000 mu of orchards with artificial pollination support. A three-tier technical service system at county, township and village levels provides on-site guidance, with over 200 training sessions held annually for more than 30,000 farmers.

Beyond field management, Jingning’s apple industry thrives on industrial integration. The county hosts 161 apple-processing enterprises, 523 specialised cooperatives and 106 family farms, engaging 100,000 farming households. These enterprises produce juice, vinegar, dried fruit and other derivatives, extending the industrial chain and increasing added value. Smart orchards equipped with IoT sensors and drone monitoring have been built, with 400,000 mu of dwarf dense-planting orchards achieving over 85% high-quality fruit rate.

As the blossom management progresses, Jingning’s apple industry continues to balance traditional farming wisdom with modern technology. The county’s efforts to standardise production, enhance branding and prevent disasters are consolidating its position as a leading apple producer. For local farmers, the blooming orchards represent not just a seasonal spectacle, but a promising harvest and sustained prosperity.