Tropical climate in Yunnan’s southern tip could be key to growing China’s highly favoured fruit
A recent durian trial in the southern tip of China’s Yunnan province has raised hopes that domestic production of the popular fruit could be possible, according to a report by The Straight Times.
Durian is almost exclusively grown in South-East Asia due to the tree’s very specific climatic requirements. But Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, which borders Myanmar and Laos, exhibits the consistently warm and humid tropical conditions required for the crop to thrive.
Yunnan Agricultural University’s industry research centre’s director Ao Pingxing told The Straight Times the trial hopes to achieve “durian freedom” whereby consumers can enjoy the fruit without worrying about its price or scarcity.
It could also reduce China’s strong dependence on imports and enhance the resilience and security of the supply system, he told the publication, as well as promote Yunnan’s position in the global high-end tropical agriculture value chain.
Despite the positive step, cultivation in Yunnan still faces several challenges, Ao said, including a scarcity of germplasm resources, the need to further explore suitable planting areas and varieties, and the necessity to improve cultivation management techniques.
The trial is in the “breakthrough” stage, transitioning from small-scale trials to commercial exploration, he added.
