A contract for the development of a 180,000 Mu (Chinese unit of area, 1/15 of a hectare) orchard was signed on January 4 between Longtan Economy Union and Huazhou Sub-district Office of Haizhu District.

The project will be funded mainly by the district government; 65 percent of profit will be given to fruit farmers, the remaining 35 percent will be used for the renewal of the biological system of the orchard.

The orchard, located at the southeast of Haizhu district, was a green lung for Guangzhou. Since the 1990's, due to the development of real estate, construction of infrastructure and illegal buildings, thousands of Mus of orchard land were encroached upon. Yield decreased due to diseases and pests. Some fruit trees were cut and a vicious circle was created. 

To solve the problems, several measures were adopted by the government to protect the orchard. Though RMB 300 million has been input since 2001, illegal construction and encroachment of land did not stop. In early 2006, land of about 1,200 Mu was chosen by the government to pilot a new measure. Representing Haizhu District government, Huazhou Sub-district Office signed the lease contract with the Union, who further signed sub-contracts with 1,113 farmers.

This mode was adopted for the first time in Guangzhou province. Wu Mingchang, Deputy Chief of Haizhu Distict, said that the protection work would be conducted in a more active way. 
The ownership of the orchard lies with fruit farmers and the Union is to assist in the operation and management.

Illegal buildings will be removed by this February, construction of related facilities will begin this March and the first phase project will be open to the public commencing May 1, Mr. Wu said.

Editor: Yan