Poverty Alleviation Mode by Developing Sorghum Planting Industry in Dry- hot Valley Areas of Jinsha River in China: Taking Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan Province as an Example

Targeted Poverty Alleviation and Development Institute, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming 650021, China

Abstract There are many state- level poverty- stricken counties in the dry- hot valley areas of Jinsha River in China, with a wide range of poverty and extreme degree of poverty. The industry- supporting poverty alleviation ranks first in the "five batches" of China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy. The practice of planting in Luquan County since 2017 shows that the valleys and slopes on the dry- hot valley areas of Jinsha River with an altitude above 1 800 m have wide land suitable for sorghum planting, and suitable for introduction and planting. In recent years, the county has adopted the mode of enterprise+government+cooperative+poor household, introduced the Langzhitang wine factory, developed sorghum planting with large- scale, industrialized and specialized features to achieve stable income growth for the poor, and significant results have been achieved. Based on many field surveys, household surveys, and interviews with county and village leaders, this paper analyzes the specific practices and main effects of the county’s poverty alleviation model by developing sorghum planting industry, aiming to provide necessary reference for the targeted poverty alleviation and poverty alleviation in similar areas of Yunnan Province and other provinces.

Key words Dry- hot valley area, Industry- supporting poverty alleviation, Sorghum planting, Poverty alleviation mode, Luquan County

1 Introduction

China is the largest developing country in the world, and it shoulders the important mission and arduous task of fighting poverty. Implementing the policy of targeted poverty alleviation is the era mission of China to promote and implement the 13th Five- Year Plan and achieve the goal of building a well- off society in an all- round way[1]. The report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China lists targeted poverty alleviation as one of the three major battles to successfully build a well- off society in an all- round way[2]. Practice has proved that industry- supporting poverty alleviation is the fundamental means to solve survival and development, and is the only way to get rid of poverty[3-6], ranking first in the "five batches" of China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy[7-9].

There are many state- level poverty- stricken counties in the dry- hot valley areas of the Jinsha River in China, such as Dongchuan District, Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County, Xundian Hui and Yi Autonomous County, Huize County, Shuangbai County, Yongren County, Wuding County, Binchuan County, Heqing County, Yulong County, Yongsheng County, Ninglang County, Qiaojia County, Ludian County, Daguan County, Yongshan County and Suijiang County of Yunnan Province, as well as Muli Tibetan Autonomous County, Yanyuan County, Puge County, Butuo County, Jinyang County, Zhaojue County, Meigu County and Leibo County of Sichuan Province. In terms of climatic conditions, the dry- hot valley areas of Jinsha River are not cold in winter, and not hot in summer, and they have an annual rainfall of 850-1 200 mm and distinct dry and wet seasons, belonging to the subtropical monsoon climate, so they are suitable for the growth of various crops such as sorghum. Sorghum belongs to annual grasses herbs. It likes temperature and sunshine, and has high temperature resistance. The suitable temperature for the whole growth period is 20-30℃. It is distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of the world. All provinces and regions in North and South China are cultivated. Sorghum rice is eaten in China, North Korea, the former Soviet Union, India and Africa. In addition to food, sorghum can be used to make starch, sugar, wine and alcohol. The practice of introducing new sorghum varieties Hongyingzi No.1, Hongmaonuo No.2 and Jinliangnuo No.1 into dry- hot valley since 2017 in Luquan County shows that the valley below 1 800 m above sea level and broad sloping land on both sides of the county have suitable broad land for sorghum cultivation and are suitable for introducing and planting of sorghum.

In accordance with the general requirements of poverty alleviation by developing industries, Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County (referred to as Luquan County) has taken the industry- supporting poverty alleviation as the primary task. To increase the income from planting industry, it has taken sorghum planting as one of the industries for poverty alleviation in poverty- stricken households combining the climate characteristics and planting experience of the county, formulated and promulgated theImplementationPlanfortheDevelopmentofHigh-qualitySorghumIndustryinLuquanYiandMiaoAutonomousCounty(2018-2020), adopted the enterprise+government+cooperative+poor household mode introduced Langzhitang wine factory in Luquan County, developed sorghum planting with large- scale, industrialized and specialized features, and promoted the total coverage of enterprises on poor households since 2017 to achieve stable income growth for the poor. Based on multiple field surveys, household surveys, and interviews with county and village cadres, this paper excavates, summarizes and condenses the specific practices and main effects of the county’s poverty alleviation model by developing sorghum planting industry, aiming to provide necessary reference for targeted poverty alleviation and poverty alleviation in similar areas of Yunnan Province and other provinces.

2 Specific practice of developing sorghum planting industry

The sorghum planting industry in Luquan County is mainly developed in suitable areas focusing on market demand and combining local climatic characteristics. In terms of market, the Langzhitang wine factory is introduced, which sets the protection price for acquisition and processing and signs the planting agreement with the farmers. At the government level, support policies are formulated to guide farmers to plant. In particular, the party members of the poverty- stricken households in the region are encouraged to actively participate. The relevant departments conduct technical guidance to ensure stable production and income growth.

2.1 Analyzing scientifically the favorable conditions and economic benefits of the sorghum planting industry by introducing new varieties for trial plantingSince May 2017, Luquan County has introduced the new sorghum varieties, including Hongyingzi No.1, Hongmaonuo No.2 and Jinliangnuo No.1, which are suitable for planting on dry slopes with altitude below 1 800 m and temperature of 20-25℃. The best planting season is between the end of April and the end of May. This is also in line with the geographical and environmental conditions and agricultural production habits of the dry- hot valley areas of the Jinsha River in Luquan County. Planting practice shows that the county’s river valleys with altitude below 1 800 m and slopes on both sides have wide slopes and dry land suitable for sorghum planting and the development of sorghum planting industry.

In addition to amply considering the climate and land resources for sorghum cultivation, market conditions, especially the demand of traditional wine- making industry in the county, should also be taken into account. Luquan County has a tradition of winemaking since ancient times. Sorghum is a high- quality raw material for winemaking and has the characteristics of green safety. The introduced sorghum varieties are mostly glutinous varieties, characterized with high wine yield and tannin content between 1.0% and 2.0%. In the second half of 2017, the county began to introduce advanced brewing enterprises such as Langzhitang wine factory. The sorghum that the farmers have planted will be acquired by the brewing enterprises, effectively promoting the development of wine industry in the county and helping the county to get rid of poverty.

Economic benefits are the core issue that must be considered and evaluated in the development of the industry. Practice shows that other traditional crops planted on the dry slopes of the dry- hot valley areas of Jinsha River is often not high- yield or even difficult to grow. In contrast, sorghum is a drought- tolerant crop with strong resistance. Its production cost is low, and the farmers have high economic benefits. According to estimates, the net income per hectare can reach 18 000 yuan. If 6 666.67 ha of sorghum is planted in the county, the income of the industry will increase by more than 120 million yuan.

2.2 Developing goals and plan reasonably for sorghum plantingOn the basis of scientific argumentation, in order to enlarge and strengthen the sorghum planting industry, Luquan County has timely formulated theImplementationPlanfortheDevelopmentofHigh-qualitySorghumIndustryinLuquanYiandMiaoAutonomousCounty(2018-2020), and implemented the three- year action plan for sorghum industry. In accordance with the year- by- year advancement steps of "basing in the first year, leveling in the second year, and forming a large industry in the third year", the sorghum industry has been developed vigorously, laying a foundation and providing strong support for the consolidation of the poverty alleviation achievements, the rapid development of agriculture with plateau characteristics, and the effective connection of rural revitalization in the county.

In 2018, the county planted 666.67 ha of sorghum, with a production of more than 3 million kg, involving more than 2 000 registered poverty- stricken households. In 2019, the county planned to develop 5 333.33 ha of high- quality sorghum, with an estimated production of more than 24 million kg, and more than 500 registered poverty- stricken households will be lifted out of poverty. In 2020, it plans to develop 6 666.67 ha of high- quality sorghum, with an estimated production of more than 30 million kg, and more than 500 registered poverty- stricken households will be helped to get rid of poverty.

2.3 Introducing the Langzhitang wine factory to practice the enterprise+government+cooperative+poor household sorghum planting modeAfter the government introduced the Yunnan Langzhitang Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., cooperation framework agreements are signed, the government supports enterprise development and policies favorable for enterprises are given. Through a variety of large- scale exhibitions, companies are helped to make a good start of the Langzhitang brand. The government has researched and formulated the development plan for the sorghum industry, launched the peasants in the suitable areas to plant sorghum, given policy support to growers, and provided raw materials for enterprises to ensure that companies and growers achieve a win- win situation.

The Jinsha River Valley in Luquan County belongs to the dry- hot valley, and is especially suitable for planting high- quality sorghum, and the county’s unique climate and water resources are also particularly suitable for brewing Maotai- flavor liquors. Luquan has a long history of brewing liquors, which have a delicious taste. Luquan Xiaoguo Liquor has the delicacy of "a drop of sweet dew falls into the mouth and a thousand pearls roll down the throat". However, due to the backward local technology, low production, and lack of market awareness, Luquan’s liquors have not been well known to the outside world. After investigation and demonstration, Yunnan Langzhitang Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. has grasped the perennial historical opportunity of Luquan County to vigorously develop industries to help lift poverty and overcome difficulties, and decided to construct a 10 000- ton- grade liquor industrial park in Luquan County. The park covers an area of 400 000 m2(40 ha). Since 2018, Yunnan Langzhitang Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. has built an 800- ton Maotai- flavor liquor workshop in Tanglang Township, a 300- ton workshop in Zehei Township, and a 300- ton production workshop in Malutang Township. The park introduces the most advanced production technology from Guizhou Maotai, and high- quality sorghum, wheat,etc. as raw materials for production to create high- grade Maotai- flavor liquor, fruit wine and kiwi wine,etc. of Langzhitang brand, make the liquor industry in Yunnan bigger and stronger, and build the largest and best Maotai- flavor liquor production base in Yunnan. At the same time, with a high sense of social responsibility, Yunnan Langzhitang Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. has actively participated in local economic and social construction, and built Luquan County’s industry- supporting poverty alleviation demonstration base to drive the development of industries in Luquan County. Relying on the unique climate and land resources in Luquan County and learning from the "three changes" mode in rural development (i.e., resources transforming into assets, capital transforming into stocks, and farmers becoming shareholders), planting professional cooperatives and breeding professional cooperatives are established to motivate Luquan County and surrounding towns and villages to plant sorghum extensively, thus boosting industrial development, driving rural farmers out of poverty and get rich, so that the people in Luquan County can share the fruitful results of industrial development.

2.4 Improving the organization and leadership of the sorghum planting industry to ensure the orderly advancement of industrial developmentIn order to ensure the smooth implementation of theImplementationPlanfortheDevelopmentofHigh-qualitySorghumIndustryinLuquanYiandMiaoAutonomousCounty(2018-2020) and the verification of the sorghum planting work, a leading group for high- quality sorghum planting work, in charge by the deputy magistrate (leader) and the director of the agricultural bureau (deputy leader) of the county is established in Luquan County. The members include the deputy director of the agricultural bureau of the county, the stationmaster and deputy stationmaster of the agricultural technology station of the county, and the director of the agricultural comprehensive service center of each township (street). The leading group is responsible for the organization and coordination of the sorghum planting industry, the coordination of funds, and the coordination of agricultural materials, and regularly supervises, inspects and accepts the implementation of the sorghum planting projects.

2.5 Strengthening the technical guidance of sorghum planting to ensure the stable production of sorghum and income increase of farmersThere are many links in high- yield cultivation techniques for sorghum, including pre- sowing preparation (variety selection, site selection, seed disinfection,etc.), sowing (determination of suitable planting time, planting density and planting method, seedling thinning, filling the gaps with seedlings,etc.), field management, pest control and timely harvesting. In order to ensure that sorghum growers can stabilize production and increase income, Luquan County actively strengthens the technical guidance work for sorghum planting. The high- quality sorghum planting technical service group of Luquan County is established, with the station chief of the agricultural technology station of the county as team leader, and relevant professional technicians of the agricultural technology station of the county as members. The technical service group is responsible for the planning of sorghum planting project areas, the verification of planting area, the formulation of technical measures for increasing production, and the edition of high- quality sorghum cultivation technical manuals. At the same time, making full use of the network, TV and technology street, farmer field training and other means, on- site training sessions on science and technology are held to carry out training work, making high- quality sorghum cultivation techniques suitable for local conditions, high- yield and high- efficiency. In addition, field management in the middle and late stages, measurement of production and summary of projects are well done.

3 Main achievements of developing Langzhitang liquor

3.1 Overall effectivenessesAfter the completion of the 10 000- ton liquor industrial park, it will effectively assemble the advantages of resource and technology, and focus on creating the Langzhitang brand. If the annual output is assigned as 10 000 t of liquor, the annual GDP output value can reach 2.5 billion yuan, and the annual fiscal revenue can be increased by 500 million yuan. By exploring the industry- supporting poverty alleviation mode of leading enterprise+government+cooperative+poor household, new skilled farmers, large growers and breeders, family farms, farmers’ professional cooperatives, agricultural leading enterprises and agricultural socialized service organizations are all cultivated, helping 7 180 poverty- stricken households out of poverty. The overall results of the development of sorghum planting include promoting the development of the planting industry and breeding industry (raising cattle with distiller’s grains), effectively solving the rural surplus labor force, driving the development of the fruit industry, driving business and providing shared services, with broad prospects.

3.2 Increase in farmers’ incomeIn 2018, the construction project of Langzhitang liquor factory motivated 1 778 households to plant 208.13 ha of sorghum, driving the masses to increase their income by 4.683 million yuan (yield 4 500 kg/ha, price 5 yuan/kg), with an increase of 2 634 yuan per household. The company absorbed 7.295 million yuan from 803 registered poverty- stricken households into shares. According to the agreement that the guaranteed annual rate of return is 10%, the income of the 803 registered poverty- stricken households can be increased by 729 500 yuan. At the same time, through the ways of shareholding cooperative and planting sorghum, the annual collective economic income of the 9 village committees of Tanglang Township will be increased by about 20 000 yuan.

In addition to Tanglang Township, the townships along the Jinsha River and Pudu River, such as Zehei Township, Malutang Township, Wumeng Township, Jiaopingdu Town, Zhongping Town, Cuihua Town and Wudongde Town have also been motivated to plant sorghum. The county planted a total of 793.47 ha of sorghum in 2018, providing sufficient raw materials for the operation of the liquor factory and increasing the income of more than 6 000 households by 17.853 million yuan (yield 4 500 kg/ha, price 5 yuan/kg).

3.3 Sorghum planting income and achievements of industry- developing poverty alleviation in poverty- free households in typical poor villagesPumo Village Committee of Tanglang Township is an extreme poverty- stricken village, including 825 people in 243 registered poverty- stricken households, with incidence of poverty of 38.43%. In 2017, the Tanglang Township and Langzhitang liquor factory reached cooperation. The Pumo Village Committee established the Luquan River Valley Planting Professional Cooperative, which is responsible for planting technical guidance, acquisition,etc., and covers 219 households (including 83 registered poverty- stricken households) in 11 villager groups. In 2018, members of the cooperative planted 56.67 ha of sorghum (including 20.07 ha of poverty- stricken households), achieving an increase of 680 000 yuan and an average increase per household of 3 105 yuan. The income of the 50 typical poverty- stricken households in Pumo Village of Tanglang Township from sorghum planting in 2018 was investigated. As shown in Table 1, in 2018, the average household income of the 50 households was 22 685.15 yuan, and the per capita net income was 6 035.71 yuan, far exceeding the poverty threshold of Yunnan Province in 2018 (3 500 yuan). From the perspective of poverty alleviation effect of sorghum planting industry, in 2018, the sorghum planting area of the 50 households was 0.281 ha/household, and the income from sorghum planting was 4 412.15 yuan/household, accounting for 19.45% of the total household net income (22 685.15 yuan/household). The net income of some households accounted for more than 50%, up to 82.58% of the total household net income. It can be seen that the industry- supporting poverty alleviation effect of sorghum planting is remarkable. At the end of 2018, the poverty rate of the Pumo Village Committee fell to 0.09%, and it was successfully lifted out of poverty.

Table 1 Income of typical poverty- free households in Pumo Village, Tanglang Township from planting sorghum in 2018

Code of householdsinvestigatedPopulationHouseholdsnet income∥yuanPer capita netincome∥yuanSorghum plantingarea∥haNet income fromplanting sorghum∥yuanPercentage of net income from plantingsorghum in households net income∥%01437 904.729 476.180.4009 783.0025.8102539 392.007 878.400.2675 020.0012.7403530 662.406 132.480.2003 271.5010.6704214 376.207 188.100.2002 309.5016.0605421 680.285 420.070.2672 777.5012.8106320 993.616 997.870.2003 030.5014.4407525 855.805 171.160.6678 549.0033.0608213 718.806 859.400.66711 329.5082.5809527 223.405 444.680.4004 825.0017.7210320 685.006 895.000.1331 587.007.6711528 151.705 630.340.2003 851.0013.6812428 978.767 244.690.1332 976.5010.2713319 921.896 640.630.2001 875.009.4114426 213.406 553.350.3338 773.5033.4715318 640.416 213.470.3335 401.5028.9816422 905.925 726.480.2003 123.5013.6417629 015.464 835.910.2004 371.0015.0618529 807.155 961.430.2002 220.507.4519628 520.164 753.360.2002 654.509.3120312 848.254 282.750.2002 620.0020.3921435 011.888 752.970.66710 069.0028.7622318 400.806 133.600.3332 524.5013.7223416 075.004 018.750.2002 543.0015.8224424 235.406 058.850.66712 317.5050.8225314 745.004 915.000.2004 246.5028.8026323 319.007 773.000.2004 030.0017.282729 043.004 521.500.2001 108.0012.2528423 833.005 958.250.2002 931.5012.3029426 058.006 514.500.2675 147.5019.7530421 090.005 272.500.1331 375.506.52

(To be continued)

(Continued)

Code of householdsinvestigatedPopulationHouseholdsnet income∥yuanPer capita netincome∥yuanSorghum plantingarea∥haNet income fromplanting sorghum∥yuanPercentage of net income from plantingsorghum in households net income∥%31624 975.004 162.500.2002 794.0011.1932422 957.005 739.250.3333 954.0017.2233432 980.568 245.140.2003 508.5010.6434315 467.015 155.670.2002 169.0014.0235317 376.005 792.000.2003 992.5022.9836323 069.737 689.910.2003 459.0014.9937313 608.004 536.000.3332 868.5021.0838313 021.804 340.600.3339 053.5069.5339325 269.998 423.330.2002 089.008.2740630 761.825 126.970.3331 189.003.8741316 782.005 594.000.2675 450.0032.4842438 644.009 661.000.6679 713.0025.1343517 860.003 572.000.3336 266.3335.0944422 718.005 679.500.2004 079.5017.9645421 462.885 365.720.2003 409.5015.8946210 873.405 436.700.2002 660.0024.4647425 818.006 454.500.2004 888.0018.9348416 834.004 208.500.2674 142.5024.6149211 038.005 519.000.2003 416.5030.9550423 434.005 858.500.3334 862.5020.75Mean422 685.156 035.710.2814 412.1519.45

4 Conclusions

The practice of the development of sorghum planting industry in Luquan County shows that industry- supporting poverty alleviation is an important breakthrough for poor people in mountain valleys to get rid of poverty and get rich, and is an effective way to ensure that the poor people can continue to get rid of poverty and become rich and prosperous. In the sorghum planting industry- supporting poverty alleviation mode, the government’s active leadership is the key, the introduction of leading enterprises is the carrier, and the cooperative organization is the bridge. As the scale of the planting industry expands year by year, the 10 000- ton liquor industry park of Luquan County will continue to develop. Relying on the creation of the Langzhitang brand, the quality will be improved. In accordance with the industry+poverty alleviation development ideas, it actively participates in the Luquan decisive battle to win the fight against poverty, gives play to the advantages and functions of the enterprise, drives the economic and social development of Luquan County, and constantly explores the practice of industry- supporting poverty alleviation in Luquan County, to realize the development goal of sorghum planting industry of Langzhitang wine factory of "basing in the first year, leveling in the second year and forming a large industry in the third year".