The Qi'an square persimmon, a special agricultural product grown in the Tongzhou district of Nantong city, located in East China's Jiangsu province, has been credited with injecting a new driving force into regional economic development.

Boasting over 300 years of history, the Qi'an square persimmon is typically square in shape, large in size and sweet in taste, renowned nationwide for its excellent appearance, color and taste.

The fruit was awarded a national geographical indication trademark in 2019 and was included among the national agro-product geographical indications in 2021, paving the way for its subsequent flourishing development.

Located in Zhangsha village in Shizong town, the Shishi Shunyi Fruit Farmer Professional Cooperative cultivates over 500 Qi'an square persimmon trees.

Except from selling their own grown persimmons, the cooperative also purchases persimmons from farmers for packaging and sales.

Yu Bosheng, a member of the cooperative, said that since Qi'an square persimmons gained the geographical indication trademark, they have become much easier to sell. He added that he was also dedicated to cultivating the seedlings of Qi'an square persimmons.

In recent years, Tongzhou district has made great efforts in product preservation, extending the industrial supply chain and increasing brand promotion, in a bid to enhance the brand added value of Qi'an square persimmons.

At present, a complete industrial supply chain, integrating planting, processing, cold chain storage, online and offline sales and transportation for the cultivation of Qi'an square persimmons, has formed in Shizong town.

Local farmers carefully check the quality of the Qi'an square persimmons. [Photo/WeChat account: wxtzfb]