Development Strategies For The Production And Utilization Of Cereal Crops In Qingyang City

Cereal crops show good ecological adaptability and stable productivity. The production of which belongs to the labor intensive category. The crops have no substitutions that can retain the varieties of crops and diversities of food supply. Meanwhile, the price of such crops in the international market is very competitive. Qingyang City is located on the loess plateau in the west. Due to its unique geographical location, natural conditions, long-established farming culture and traditional farming techniques, the city has contributed much to the preservation and development of the cereal crop resources and has gained considerable experience in production. It has formed a splendid cereal crop production system with the characteristics of rich variety resources, large-scale production bases, high proportion in grain production, remarkable benefit and developmental value.Commercialization processing of cereal crops in Qingyang City started at the turn of this century. At present, there are about 100 local retail enterprises trading cereal crops and only five to six enterprises in the processing of such crops. These processing enterprises, with limited production capacity, can only make products with low added-value and technological content. The transformation rate is less than 2%. Over 85% of the products are in the form of original crops or semi finished goods. Further processing of cereal crops has not taken shape, which is also an important constraint in the growing of the crops.The aims of this study focus on the development strategies for cereal crops in Qingyang City through a historic analysis of the cereal crop production, a brief summary of production practice and problems and a detailed review of a few case studies. The research methods cover literature review with field investigation and theoretical study with exemplification analysis. Proposals and development strategies are put forward on the basis of systematic analysis and justification.Based on investigation and study, the paper has summarized four approaches for the development of local cereal crops. (1) Making clear development directions and giving more importance to the production of cereal crops. (2) Planning the distribution of cereal crops scientifically and quickening the steps of the establishment of production bases including those for buckwheat in the mountainous areas in Huachi and Huanxian counties, those for millet in the northern mountainous areas in Qingyang and those for autumn millet anddifferent legumina in the southern central plateau areas. (3) Strengthening scientific research and technical guidance in production so as to promote the production of cereal crops with the aid of science and technology. (4) Giving energetic support to the development of commercial products so as to increase the value of the crops. Along with the establishment of production bases, the brand awareness should be enhanced. To realize scale benefit, a new production system for further processing of such crops should be set up so as to promote the overall development of cereal crops and subsequent systematic products.In addition, through years of research, the author has cooperated with local enterprises in the development of nine kinds of cereal food in five categories including polished Shishe Millet, Millet Crust, Millet and Mung Bean Instant congee, Millet and Dark Sesame Ring, Refined Buckwheat, Buckwheat Cake, Pea Paste, Fried Horsebean, and Jianliheibao. These products have been on the market and are favored by consumers, showing good prospect.