Xizang Honey: Sweetening Lives, Greening Land

In Jepa village, Lhokha city, Xizang, beekeepers tend to hives, a scene unimaginable a decade ago. Zhang Liangfu began with 20 hives in 2015, gradually developing a venture now deeply connected to local communities. The unique flavor of Xizang honey comes from local flora like black locust and high-altitude wildflowers, with medicinal plants adding a distinct bitter note. The region's geography also protects bees from Varroa mites, eliminating the need for miticides. In 2020, an assistance team from Anhui province proposed involving local farmers. After initial hesitation, residents were persuaded of beekeeping's compatibility with rural life. Tasks were diversified, allowing participation without full-time commitment, with Zhang's company providing training and market access. This initiative has created stable incomes, with some beekeepers earning up to 200,000 yuan annually. Newcomers, like recent graduate Sonam Tashi, are also entering the field, drawn by social media interest. Related projects now reach over 60 villages, benefiting approximately 9,200 households. In 2025, dividends totaling 4.06 million yuan were distributed, with total industry income exceeding 8 million yuan for farmers and herders in Lhokha's Nedong district. The industry has diversified into eco-experience parks and products like beverages and cosmetics, with exports to Europe and Japan. Remarkably, villagers once wary of bees are now planting flowers and trees to support them, fostering a symbiotic relationship that enhances both income and the environment.