Status and Sustainable Development Countermeasures of the Lemon Industry in Dehong Prefecture, China

摘要

Lemon industry has developed to a large scale in Dehong state, where the ecological environment is most favorable for its growth. This paper addresses the current status and problems hindering the development of this citrus sector and offers some countermeasures and solutions. Lemon growing is supported by the government and citrus experts, with currently planted area of 3 333.3 ha and plans are for it to grow to 6 666.7 ha and produce 100 thousand ton in 2010. At the same time, there has been establishment of a modern and intensive lemon processing plant with a capacity of 100 thousand tons of fruit, which will process fruit to meet market needs. In addition, the local government wants to develop lemon as a characteristic, key and prosperous industry. However, major problems exist, such as poor management and marketing, imperfect cooperative organization and lack of a long-term sustainable technical support. Attempts have been made to solve these problems; for example, a Hongrui' brand of common and off-season fresh lemon has been established and may contribute to a sustainable development of the lemon industry in the area.