Grape of wealth: Emerging industry boosts incomes
Planting grapes and making wine had been an exotic business for Tibetans in the past. But today, the novel industry has developed into one of the economic pillars in the countryside in the southeastern part of Tibet autonomous region.
In Markham, a county in Chamdo city, planting grapes is a major means of poverty reduction and increasing farmers’ incomes.
In Mogshod township in the Lancang River valley, Yang Peizheng operates a 0.59acre vineyard. In 2019, he earned more than 8,000 yuan ($1,206) by selling grapes to a local winery.
“This is a sharp contrast to what we were four years ago. My family then grew corn and highland barley, and could hardly make ends meet,” Yang said.
According to Yeshe Dorje, head of the Mogshod township government, there are a total of 326 acres of vineyards in the township.
Last year, Mogshod’s grape output reached 350 metric tons and farmers’ revenue from planting grapes totaled 1.77 million yuan.
“That means an increase of 8,400 yuan for each household on average,” the official said.
Mogshod and its neighboring townships of Naxi and Chutsankha are located in the dry, hot valley of Lancang River.
“Plentiful sunshine and ease of irrigation with water from the Lancang make the region one of the most suitable places in Tibet for growing grapes,” Yeshe Dorje said.
The East Tibet Zhenbao Winery in Naxi township is also helping local farmers increase their revenue. Grapes from the three townships are mostly sold to the company.
“We spent more than 2 million yuan buying grapes from local growers last year,” said Chogtsuo, deputy general manager of the company.
She added the company has employed 28 locals, with their average per capita monthly salary reaching 3,600 yuan.
In Chamdo city, grape planting area totaled 3,212 acres, and there are five wineries using locally grown grapes as raw materials for winemaking, according to the city’s povertyreduction office.
Local statistics show that these enterprises produced 600 tons of grape wine and reported combined revenue of 64 million yuan last year. More than 400 residents have been lifted from poverty with the help of the companies.