Many farmers are growing rice and maize, but their incomes are not high and they are exposed to market risks. Today I would like to recommend to you a new cash crop - prickly pear. Compared with traditional crops, the income of prickly pear is several times that of prickly pear, and the market prospect is broad, which can really increase farmers' income!
1. Introduction to prickly pear
Prickly pear is a fruit tree that belongs to the genus Rosaceae in the subfamily apple. The tree can reach a height of up to 5 meters and has hard thorns. The fruit is pear-shaped, and the surface is covered with tiny hard thorns, hence the name "prickly pear". Prickly pear has delicate flesh, juicy and sweet taste, rich in vitamin C, fructose, minerals and other nutrients, and is a fruit with high nutritional value.
Due to the special appearance and delicious taste of prickly pear, it is very popular with consumers in the market. A pound of prickly pear can be sold for 8 yuan, far more than rice and corn. At the same time, prickly pear trees have a long fruiting period, which can last from early summer to late autumn, making them ideal for planting to increase farmers' income.
Second, the economic benefits of prickly pear are high
Compared with rice and corn, prickly pear has great advantages in terms of ** and yield, and the economic benefits are significantly higher. The annual output of one mu of prickly pear can reach 4,000 kilograms, and the annual output value is as high as 32,000 yuan according to 8 yuan per catty. The output value of rice and corn is usually about 10,000 yuan per mu, and the output value of prickly pear is several times that of it.
What's more, prickly pear is a woody plant that bears fruit for 20-30 years. The total output value of one mu of prickly pear can reach more than 600,000 yuan. This means that planting prickly pear can provide farmers with a stable long-term income**, without the need to repeatedly cultivate every year, and truly increase agricultural efficiency and income.
Third, the prickly pear planting technology is not difficult to master
As a woody fruit tree, prickly pear has low environmental requirements and is relatively simple to manage, so ordinary farmers can master its planting technology. Specifically, planting prickly pear can mainly start from the following aspects:
1.Breed selection.
It is important to choose a prickly pear variety that is suitable for the local climatic conditions. It is mainly recommended to have some early maturing and high yield, long fruiting period, high yield and strong stress resistance, such as Qinghai early red, Shaanxi seedless red, etc. These varieties not only have high yields, but also can flower and bear fruit for a long time, extending the harvest period.
2.Soil conditions.
Prickly pear does not have very high requirements for soil conditions, but drainage and pH conditions are critical. The most suitable soil type is well-drained with a pH of 55-7.0 between sandy loam or sandy loam. Be sure not to choose heavy or low-lying plots, as this will affect drainage and lead to increased fruit disease.
3.Soil preparation and seedling raising.
Select the slope land facing north and south and the higher terrain for land preparation, and use the method of digging large pits. Before sowing or grafting, the seedling base should be fully prepared, and cuttings or grafting should be carried out if necessary, so as to shorten the fruiting cycle and improve the yield.
4.General management.
In the process of growing prickly pear trees, organic fertilizer or well-rotted compost should be added according to the tree potential to ensure sufficient nutrients and good ventilation and light transmission conditions. At the same time, it is necessary to actively control pests and diseases, but do not blindly spray pesticides on a large area.
Fourth, the market is broad, and the market is strong
Because of the unique shape and unique flavor of prickly pear, it is deeply loved by consumers. At present, the market demand for prickly pear is far greater than the supply, and the market demand for prickly pear continues to be high. This means that there is basically no need to worry about the market for prickly pear.
You can choose to sign a long-term purchase and sale contract with a fruit merchant to ensure that the product is marketable. You can also open the Internet** or enter the ripe fruit market to sell. Due to the current situation of short supply, stable sales and high profits of prickly pear can be expected!
Summary. 
To sum up, prickly pear, an "unpopular" fruit, is significantly better than traditional crops in terms of economic and market benefits.
First, planting is simple and easy to master, the technical threshold is not high, and ordinary farmers can complete it.
Second, the yield is high and the economic benefits are good, and the yield per mu can reach 4,000 catties, which is equivalent to an output value of more than 30,000 yuan, far exceeding the general crops.
Third, the market prospect is broad, prickly pear is in short supply, the market is smooth, the first continues to improve, and the planting can achieve stable income.
Therefore, I sincerely suggest that the majority of farmers and friends seriously consider planting this new crop, which can not only increase income, but also promote the development of local characteristic industries. Prickly pear planting, worth a try!