Harvesting the future

Aslam came from Pakistan and visited China to pursue his PhD in horticulture in 2013. He was drawn to the place after finding it ideal to apply what he has learned.

"I want to get more experience, learn and enhance the competency and expertise in this field here," he says.

The facility features a commercialized detoxification research center for multiple varieties of plants, an industrialization project of planting system for new berries and a high-standard seedling breeding base.

At the moment, a 200-mu land area has been used for seedling cultivation and culture and tourism in the west of the ecological garden.

Plants range from apple and hydrangea to blueberries and strawberries.

"We introduce (agricultural) species from abroad and then carry out new species research and development, as well as breeding and industrialization," says Ma Xinyuan, a senior officer with the garden.

The goal is to enrich the vegetable and fruit diversity, Ma says.

After the seedlings grow, they will be moved to the east, where a 600-mu land area is ready for their further development.

"When the molecular diagnosis lab goes into operation, we will have the whole industrial chain here," Ma says.

Seedlings could be directly sent here for improvement and nurturing, which will remove many uncertainties in quality control when they have to be transported from Orisis' operations in Wuxi.