Tibetannet

Because of high altitude and extreme cold, it has always been difficult to cultivate fruit trees on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and people there are hardly able to access locally grown fruit. In order to change this condition, researchers at the Tibet Autonomous Region Academy of Agricultural Sciences have been committed to cultivating more varieties of fruits and vegetables that are suitable for growing locally.  

Since 2003, the Tibet Autonomous Region Academy of Agricultural Sciences has been introducing various kinds of grapes from inland areas and breeding them. It takes at least three years to determine if a newly introduced variety is suitable for local growth. After several experiments, they have finally selected six grape varieties suitable for local growth.

On November 7, reporters visited a greenhouse at the Autonomous Region Academy of Agricultural Sciences. “This is a new variety.” A scientific researcher at the Autonomous Region Academy of Agricultural Sciences told reporters. “The picking time is in November, but it can be delayed later and harvest around New Year’s Day.” This means that people there can eat locally grown fresh grapes in winter.  

To date, the planting area in Tibet has exceeded 20,000 mu (1 mu = 0.165 acres). The highest altitude where the grapes are being grown is in Nagchu at 4,500 meters above sea level. 

During the interview, reporters learned that the average annual yield of these grapes can reach 1,000 kilograms, however, this output is still far from meeting the needs of the local market. Next, researchers will continue to promote planting of these grape trees across the region.