Amomum Tsao-Ko Industry Boosts Prosperity in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture
The rise of an industry, seemingly reflected in the growth of economic figures, is essentially driven by the transformation of development concepts. In Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, the development of the amomum tsao-ko industry not only mirrors the local transformation of development concepts but also serves as a vivid practice and interpretation of establishing and practicing a correct view of performance in border ethnic areas. Xinhua News Agency reports that Nujiang was once one of the deeply impoverished areas in China’s "Three Regions and Three Prefectures", with a poverty incidence rate as high as 56.24%.
More than 98% of Nujiang’s land area consists of high mountains and canyons, and over 50.57% of its cultivated land has a slope of more than 25 degrees. "Seeing the sky as a narrow slit, the land as a deep ditch, and farming like rock climbing" was once a true portrayal of the life of people of all ethnic groups here. Faced with the dual constraints of extreme poverty and special natural conditions, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture has chosen a development path that adapts to local conditions and prioritizes green development, focusing on building a long-term prosperity-driven industry rooted in people’s well-being and in line with natural laws.
The amomum tsao-ko industry has thus taken root and thrived in the Nujiang Canyon. Suitable for under-forest planting, it does not compete with grain for land and is ecologically friendly, serving as a natural carrier of the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". Moreover, it benefits a wide range of people, enabling thousands of households to increase their income continuously by planting amomum tsao-ko around their houses and in mountain valleys.
To promote the high-quality development of the industry, Nujiang has adhered to consistent efforts over the years and adopted a scientific development path, injecting vitality through five major enablers: technology, talent, finance, branding and market. China News Service notes that Nujiang, as the largest amomum tsao-ko planting area and core producing area in China, has continuously strengthened industrial support to boost farmers’ income.
In terms of technology, the prefecture has built the only national laboratory for amomum tsao-ko biology and resource utilization, a provincial-level amomum tsao-ko germplasm resource nursery, and a "smart agriculture" monitoring system. It has promoted green drying technology to replace traditional extensive processing and participated in releasing China’s first national standard for amomum tsao-ko. For talent, it has introduced expert teams, established expert workstations, cultivated local scientific and technological talents, and piloted the "technology deputy general manager" model.
In finance, it has innovatively launched financial products such as "Amomum Tsao-Ko Loan", and established the country’s first "amomum tsao-ko themed bank" and "amomum tsao-ko themed insurance company". In branding, it is promoting the application for geographical indication registration and protection of "Nujiang Amomum Tsao-Ko", with materials submitted to the State Intellectual Property Office. At present, Nujiang amomum tsao-ko has been included in the list of ecologically originated protected products, with 46,400 mu of green and organic certified planting area.
In the market sector, leading enterprises have been introduced, an amomum tsao-ko trading center has been built, and an integrated production and marketing system has been constructed. Xinhua News Agency reports that Yunnan Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee has approved regulations to promote the high-quality development of the amomum tsao-ko industry, the first time Yunnan has used legislation to support the industry.
By 2025, the planting area of amomum tsao-ko in Nujiang had reached 1.114 million mu, with the total industrial chain output value exceeding 3 billion yuan, driving 168,300 people to increase their per capita income by 4,560 yuan. Lan Zhengwen, a farmer from Kongdang Village in Dulongjiang Township, said he had expanded his planting area from 2 mu to 40 mu, and his life had been greatly improved. Today, amomum tsao-ko has become a veritable "fruit of prosperity" and "fruit of happiness" in the mouths of local farmers, boosting rural revitalization and ethnic solidarity in the border area.
