Addressing challenges

“Our cooperative now focuses on market-oriented operations, and facilities and infrastructure should also be constructed to support its development,” said Nyima Cering, Deputy Head of Zhidoi County.

“For instance, we plan to set up a livestock products processing factory, in which we will be able to produce beef and mutton products. We will build our own brand based on local ethnic characteristics and develop our economy in a sustainable manner,” he said.

Yet, the biggest difficulty still facing the cooperative is how to improve its infrastructure, including electricity and road networks. Due to the high altitude (approximately 4,200 meters above sea level) and harsh climatic conditions, the cost of infrastructure construction and maintenance is particularly high.

It was only last November that Zhidoi County was connected to the electricity network and many villages in the county still do not have access to electricity.

“We have found our own way to alleviate poverty which is suitable for our region,” said Nyima Zhaxi. “The cooperative model helps us reduce poverty and increase herdsmen’s income, without damaging the grassland ecological environment,” he said. Comments to glj@chinafrica.cn