山西五寨，何以成为“中国甜糯玉米之乡”？

Core Viewpoint - Wuzhai County has transformed into "China's hometown of sweet glutinous corn" through agricultural strategies, policy support, and technological empowerment, making sweet glutinous corn a pillar industry in the region [1][3]. Natural Endowment - Located at the agricultural golden latitude of 38°N, Wuzhai County benefits from high altitude, significant temperature differences between day and night, and fertile soil, making it one of the earliest regions in China to introduce sweet glutinous corn cultivation [3][4]. - The sweet glutinous corn from Wuzhai is favored by consumers for its thin skin, no residue, and sweet, soft texture, leading to an increase in planting area and quality [3][4]. Technological Empowerment - The cultivation of sweet glutinous corn has significantly increased farmers' incomes, leading to a modern agricultural system that integrates planting, processing, branding, and sales [4][5]. - By 2025, the planting area for sweet glutinous corn is expected to reach 65,000 acres, with an annual output projected to exceed 200 million ears, marking a shift from scattered planting to large-scale operations [4][10]. Smart Agriculture - Wuzhai County utilizes IoT, satellite remote sensing, and blockchain technology for real-time monitoring and precise management of the farming environment, providing data support for scientific cultivation [5]. Investment and Infrastructure - An investment of 380 million yuan has been made to establish the "Wuzhai Sweet Glutinous Corn Industrial Park," which has an annual processing capacity of 200 million ears, making it one of the largest and most intelligent fresh corn processing bases in China [7]. Brand Development - The county has registered the "Wuzhai Sweet Glutinous Corn" regional public brand and has been included in the national list of quality agricultural products, with a multi-channel sales system established [8]. - In 2017, Wuzhai sweet glutinous corn was exported to Russia, marking the first export of corn agricultural products from Shanxi to Russia [8]. Future Plans - Wuzhai County aims to expand sweet glutinous corn cultivation to 200,000 acres and build 30 processing lines, targeting an annual output value of 6 billion yuan and increasing farmers' per capita income by 5,000 yuan [10].