"This year is the eighth year that we have planted quinoa. The varieties we just started to plant were introduced from abroad, which are not suitable for local soil. After the new variety 'Mengchenopodium Series' was successfully developed in Wuchuan County, new cultivation techniques were adopted, and the per mu yield has increased from less than 200 jin to nearly 400 jin now, and the income has also nearly doubled." Li Guihu, a farmer in Wulan Bulang Village, West Wulan Bulang Town, Wuchuan County, Hohhot, said excitedly.
Quinoa has high protein content and is rich in vitamins and mineral elements. Wuchuan County is an ideal area for quinoa planting, but in the past, the planting technology was backward, the variety was single, and the yield was not high.
In 2012, Wuchuan County contacted Inner Mongolia Mongolia Agricultural Quinoa Industry Research Institute to carry out experiments in some villages and towns of the county to develop new varieties. In 2014, "Mengcheng-1" was successfully researched and developed, and won the variety identification certificate of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Since then, new varieties of quinoa such as "Mengzao No. 2", "Mengzao No. 3" and "Mengzao No. 6" have been introduced. In 2022, the county party committee and the county government will invest 2 million yuan to build a quinoa science and technology academy covering an area of 6000 square meters, integrating open field breeding, solar greenhouse seed test, achievement display, seed bank, office and training. The planting area of quinoa in the county will expand from less than 20000 mu in 2012 to 150000 mu in 2023.
After years of development, Wuchuan County has formed a planting pattern centered on West Wulan Bulang Town, radiating and driving other 8 towns. In 2022, Wuchuan quinoa won the title of one of the top 100 symbolic brands of agricultural products in China. In 2024, Wuchuan Chenmai Science and Technology Academy was awarded the title of "the most beautiful science and technology academy" by China Rural Professional Technology Association.
"In addition to focusing on the research and development of new varieties, the Academy has also improved quinoa cultivation technology through the technical transformation of quinoa sowing equipment, invented the integrated cultivation technology of water, fertilizer, seeds, dryland film mulching and pest control technology, and effectively reduced the waste of seed and fertilizer and the risk of pests and diseases," said Wang Shuyan, the chief expert of the Academy.
"With the adoption of new varieties and technologies, the yield of quinoa has significantly increased. Last winter, there was a lot of snow, and the soil moisture was good. The Science and Technology Academy helped contact foreign buyers, and signed a purchase and sales agreement. This year, there will be a good harvest again," said Guo Shaofeng, a planter in Xigaowan Village, Erfanzi Township.
Over the past few years, Wuchuan Chenopodium album Academy of Science and Technology has increased employment by more than 250 people through planting, processing and marketing of Chenopodium album, guided by molecular assisted breeding, innovation of farming model, pest control, water and soil conservation, and soil conservation and utilization. In order to drive the villagers to become rich together, the Science and Technology Academy provided the technology and varieties developed by itself to the growers for free, and the quinoa harvested was recycled at a higher price than the market price.
At present, the local demonstration and promotion includes three key technologies such as dry cultivation of quinoa, six new varieties of quinoa, more than 10 scientific and technological trainings, more than 100 field planting guidance, more than 1200 person times of training, and the cumulative technical coverage area of more than 500000 mu, driving more than 100 farmers to become rich. Science and technology has become the "code for getting rich" of quinoa wheat planting households in Wuchuan County.
"We have carried out research on quinoa yogurt, quinoa beverage and other aspects to extend the quinoa industry chain in accordance with the development orientation of the" two wheat, one potato and one sheep "industry chain proposed by the Wuchuan County Party Committee. Now we have designed a quinoa yogurt processing production line, which can be trial produced in the near future. In the next step, the Academy will continue to strengthen technical cooperation and make contributions to farmers' income and agricultural efficiency. " Guo Zhanbin, Vice President of Quinoa Branch of Chinese Crop Society and President of Inner Mongolia Mongolia Agricultural Quinoa Industry Research Institute, who is the head of Wuchuan Quinoa Science and Technology Academy, said.
（ Xinhua daily telegraph Reporter Darihan)
