Recently, at the “Lucheng–Rangtang Heart-to-Heart Common Prosperity Fair” held at Wenzhou Century Square, “Fanbala,” a highland tomato from Rangtang County in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, quickly became the star of the event. Airlifted from an altitude of 3,500 meters, the tomatoes brought a taste of the highlands to Wenzhou and helped build a path to shared prosperity spanning thousands of miles.
“Four batches went out, and we sold more than 2,000 jin (about 1,000 kilograms) of highland tomatoes in total. We simply couldn’t restock fast enough.” Recently, at the “Lucheng–Rangtang Heart-to-Heart Common Prosperity Fair” held at Wenzhou Century Square, “Fanbala,” a highland tomato from Rangtang County in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, quickly became the star of the event. Lin Shengcai, general manager of Beijing Feiniao Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., smiled as he watched the steady stream of residents at the stall. “Wenzhou residents have shown such strong support for the assistance program. The market response has far exceeded our expectations.”
Airlifted from an altitude of 3,500 meters, the tomatoes brought a taste of the highlands to Wenzhou and helped build a path to shared prosperity spanning thousands of miles.
Highland trials yield a “golden harvest”
“The tomato flavor is really rich!” “They’re so sweet, just like the ones I remember from childhood!” At the tasting table, residents praised the tomatoes after trying them, then scanned the QR code on their phones to place orders.
Rangtang County lies on the western Sichuan Plateau, where the clean environment, abundant sunshine and marked temperature differences between day and night are similar to conditions in the Andes, the tomato’s place of origin. This gives the county natural advantages for growing high-quality fruit and vegetables. For years, however, despite its potential, the area struggled to develop the crop on a large scale because it lacked high-quality varieties, reliable markets and its own brands.
A turning point came during a survey by the assistance team from Wenzhou’s Lucheng District stationed in Rangtang County. The team found that Rangtang’s land, climate and water quality were well suited to growing high-quality tomatoes. It then brought in Beijing Feiniao Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and joined forces with the Vegetable Research Institute of the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences to work on both variety development and market expansion.
Sales at the “Lucheng–Rangtang Heart-to-Heart Common Prosperity Fair”
In 2025, several partners conducted trial plantings of highland tomatoes across 3 mu (about 0.2 hectares) and 14 greenhouses at Xiaoyili Farm and in Bukangmuda Village, Zhongrangtang Town, completing an initial screening of varieties and assessing their suitability for the highland environment. In 2026, the project expanded to 15 mu and 40 greenhouses at the base in Bukangmuda Village, Zhongrangtang Town, at an altitude of 3,500 meters, for small-scale greenhouse cultivation.
After two years of acclimatization and comparative trials in the highlands, the research team selected and adapted “Wenranghong No. 1,” a variety suited to the highland climate, from 20 tomato germplasm resources. The variety tolerates cold and low temperatures, resists tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), and produces plump, uniform fruit. Its sugar content can reach 12.6° Brix in summer, 3 to 4 degrees higher than that of tomatoes grown in the plains, giving it the quality needed to compete in the mid-to-high-end market.
Breaking into premium markets in several regions
At a highland tomato tasting event held in Rangtang County in early September this year, “Wenranghong No. 1” received unanimous praise from experts. Hou Lixia, a researcher at the Vegetable Research Institute of the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said the variety offers excellent quality, high sugar content and strong cold tolerance, making it well suited to large-scale cultivation and promotion in highland areas.
Tomatoes growing in the highlands.
A good variety needs a strong brand to command a good price. “Our company has long supplied mid-to-high-end markets in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, and we have extensive experience in promoting premium fruit,” Lin Shengcai told reporters. Drawing on Rangtang’s distinctive “Rangbala” cultural identity, the company created the “Fanbala” highland tomato brand, secured trademark coverage across product categories, and developed a range of products, including premium gift boxes, family packs for fresh eating and portable gift packs.
“Fanbala” tomatoes are now sold in small quantities in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Chengdu and other markets, where they have been well received by premium retailers and consumers. The event in Wenzhou was the first dedicated showcase of this highland specialty for local residents. Lin Shengcai said the base plans to expand cultivation in the highlands and increase production of “Wenranghong No. 1” to better meet market demand.
Boosting incomes for village collectives and farmers
Ultimately, industrial development must translate into higher incomes for local people. In Bukangmuda Village, Zhongrangtang Town, the highland tomato project follows a model led by the company and supported by technology, with the village collective and farmers involved. Seedling cultivation, standards, crop management, harvesting and branded sales are all coordinated to ensure consistent quality.
Liu Yalei, the first secretary stationed in Bukangmuda Village, said the current 15-mu high-quality tomato base is expected to produce 50,000 jin (about 25 metric tons) in total and increase the village collective’s income by more than 250,000 yuan. The base also gives priority to hiring local farmers and herders for nearby work, including seedling cultivation, crop management, harvesting, sorting and packing, helping local residents earn a stable income close to home.
Tomatoes growing in the highlands.
Once the technical system is fully established, the project plans to gradually introduce a model under which households operate contracted greenhouses. The company will provide greenhouses, seedlings, fertilizer and technical guidance, and guarantee purchases. If a household’s earnings fall below what it could earn from wage work, the company will guarantee payment at the applicable wage rate. This will reduce the risks for participating households and help them move from earning wages to earning income through independent operation.
A small tomato is becoming a “fruit of happiness,” connecting eastern and western regions and contributing to shared prosperity.