MOUNT QOMOLANGMA—Jiang Lili, an associate researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has embarked on a six-year journey to transform the barren lands at the foot of Mount Qomolangma into fertile grounds for high-value crops, particularly focusing on the "Tibetan radish," a variety of turnip adapted to high altitudes.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Jiang, in collaboration with the CAS Kunming Institute of Botany, is spearheading efforts to cultivate turnips as a viable cash crop for the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. This initiative aims not only to enhance local livelihoods but also to address the critical shortage of forage in the region. The team's success has been notable, with turnips now thriving in over 10 locations across Xizang, including the challenging environment of the Mount Qomolangma base camp town at 4,127 meters above sea level.
The research project, initiated in 2018, evaluated over 60 potential crop options before selecting turnips for their remarkable cold tolerance and adaptability. "Turnip excels in terms of cold tolerance," Jiang noted, highlighting the plant's ability to withstand temperatures as low as minus 3 to minus 5 degrees Celsius and survive multiple rounds of hail—a frequent challenge in the high-altitude regions of Nagqu, where temperatures can drop significantly during summer hail storms.
The turnips cultivated by Jiang’s team have become a cornerstone of both human and livestock diets in the region, aligning with the seasonal consumption patterns depicted in local folk songs. The project has already yielded impressive results, with a pilot field in Zanda County producing turnips that weigh as much as 11.67 kilograms each—a significant increase from the typical local varieties.
Furthermore, Jiang's team has embraced local agricultural practices, adapting sowing and harvesting techniques to the unique climatic conditions of various altitudes across the plateau. This has included innovations such as adjusting planting schedules and modifying crop management practices to suit the local environment better.
The impact of this agricultural initiative extends beyond simple crop production; it represents a potential transformation in the economic landscape of Xizang. With turnips proving to be a sustainable and economically viable crop, local farmers are provided with a new source of income and food security. The success of the project has earned Jiang the moniker "queen of turnips," underscoring her significant contributions to agricultural science and local community development.
Looking ahead, Jiang is committed to continuing her research, aiming to refine cultivation techniques and explore new turnip varieties that could further benefit the high-altitude regions of Xizang. Her vision is clear: to see turnips widely planted across the region, enhancing the livelihoods of local Tibetans through improved agricultural practices and increased food and feed production.