Nanhui peaches. [Photo/ spe.zwbk.org]

The peaches from Nanhui, just south of Shanghai, were recognized as one of China's distinctive agricultural products by the Ministry of Agriculture on Dec 6.

The long history and high quality of Nanhui's peaches have made it a symbol of all that is great about Pudong's agricultural products.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), private peach gardens were built in the suburbs of Shanghai, which after the founding of the People's Republic of China witnessed steady growth in the yields of peaches. Nanhui peaches have been traded across China and last year entered the Hong Kong market for the first time via e-commerce.

China has spared little effort in supporting Nanhui's peach industry. In 2005, Nanhui's peaches were included on the national preservation list, which included the geographical indication certification mark ratified by the State Administration of Industry and Commerce.

The huge popularity of Nanhui peaches is owed in part to the rapid development of Pudong's agriculture industry. In 2010, a modern agriculture demonstration area was built in Pudong with the purpose of expanding the use of technology and increasing the added value of products. As a result, 90 percent of all fields producing crops in the area are equipped with a traceability system.

By the end of 2016, some 30,000 mu (2,000 hectares) of land were being used to cultivate peaches in Pudong, occupying 40 percent of Shanghai's total peach production area. The total annual output of peaches in the area last year reached 370 million yuan ($55.91 million).

In the future, Pudong plans to apply the valuable experience accumulated in cultivating peaches to its other agricultural industries, such as growing grain and rearing livestock. In addition, six major peach growing departments will jointly establish a cooperative to further enhance the brand image of Nanhui peach.