Farmers lifted out of poverty thanks to trademark protection

Geographical indication protection and promotion has changed the lives of farmers in the mountainous areas of Lu'an in East China's Anhui province.

Dabie Mountains run some 380 kilometers from east to west at the western boundary of Anhuihome to some of the poorest areas in China. Its main peak is located in Huoshan county of Lu'an.

The subtropical climate, featuring mild temperatures, abundant rainfall and strong sunshine in Huoshan county at the foot of Dabie Mountains, is suitable for growing yellow tea. The tea named yellow bud, has a history dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

In December 2006, Huoshan Yellow Bud was listed as a protected product of China's national geographical indications.

In 2013, the province set up a professional trade market base for Huoshan Yellow Bud to increase its overall value. In 2018, Huoshan Yellow Bud was valued at about 7 billion yuan ($104.3 million), said Wang Qiang, deputy chief of the county.

Statistics from the county government indicate that 95 percent of rural households in Huoshan work in their own tea gardens. The number of tea farmers has surpassed 100,000. Also, at least 3,000 people are involved in the production and marketing of Huoshan Yellow Bud.

Yu Longhua, a farmer in Baiyun'an village of Huoshan, said tea plantations have brought increasing wealth to locals over the past few years.

"The procurement price of fresh tea leaves has risen and tea garden tourism can generate additional incomes," said Yu, in his 60s, who has been working on tea plantations for more than three decades.

Ordinary fresh tea leaves can be sold at 140 yuan per kilogram this year, a big rise from 60 yuan per kg in 2013.

Meanwhile, the procurement price of selected fresh tea leaves jumped from 140 yuan per kg to at least 240 yuan, Yu said.

An increasing number of companies have moved to or made new investments in the county to ensure product quality, thanks to the local government's increasing efforts to protect and promote the GI of the tea.

The corporate boom has allowed farmers to concentrate on tea tree plantations rather than making the tea themselves, said county deputy chief Wang.

Corporate management and operation could generate famous brands under the GI and enhance the overall quality of the products, he said.

The local government has also encouraged farmers to open some of their tea gardens to tourists.

At the end of 2018, along with other poverty-relief measures, the county announced that about 3,200 households across 43 villages had escaped poverty.

Lu'an Guapian, one of China's 10 most famous teas, is also a protected GI in Lu'an.

After passing the strict approval procedure, a total of 49 companies are authorized to use the special GI trademark of Lu'an Guapian. Another 95 are allowed to use its certificate trademark, according to the city government.

Roughly 20,000 people have been lifted out of poverty since 2008 and more than 100,000 farmers have benefited from the GI project, statistics from the city government indicate.

Cheng Yin, director of Anhui Provincial Intellectual Property Office, said GI protection and supervision will be improved to build more GI brands to attract investment to the province.

GI labels should also be used for poverty relief, countryside revitalization, talent introduction and education to rejuvenate the rural economy, he noted.