The latest movements point in the same direction: the cactus, traditionally linked to arid climates, is consolidating itself as a resource to generate value in environments with less available water and as the basis of solutions that seek efficiency, circularity and lower environmental impact.
Yunnan makes Zhuangzitian a cactus benchmark
In Yunnan Province, southwest China, Zhuangzitian Village has grown from limited activity to become the largest cactus cultivation center of the country. This productive leap, documented in images released in early August, reflects how the community has professionalized both planting and harvesting and processing.
The snapshots show workers harvesting fruit and workers in processing facilities, an indicator that the value chain is developing locally. This development has allowed Zhuangzitian not only to lead in dedicated surface area, but also to reach the highest production value nationwide.
The village's changing economic profile is supported by crops adapted to the climate and a network of small industries that provide an outlet for raw materials. According to coverage published from Kunming in early September, this is a case of rural specialization with a direct impact on employment and in family income.
The commitment to cactus in the area responds to agronomic and market reasons: the plant better tolerate periods of water shortage and opens the door to multiple uses, from fruit to processed products, which diversifies sources of income for local producers.
Peru promotes a biostimulant with cactus extract
Meanwhile, in northern Peru, a team has developed an organic fertilizer and biostimulant from three components: a derivative of sugarcane distillation, cactus extract, and seaweed. The combination seeks to improve crop yield in adverse conditions, with a formulation 100% natural and circular focus.
One of the key aspects of the project is to recover a mineral-rich byproduct of the sugar industry that is often discarded in drains. By incorporating it as an ingredient along with cactus extract and algae, it prevents it from ending up in waterways and reduces the risk of pollution in nearby ecosystems.
The biostimulant, promoted by the company Fertilizantes Muchik and its technical team, is designed to promote the absorption of nutrients and increase the water retention in the soil. Consequently, crops tend to show greater resilience to lack of rain, a priority objective in a context of more extreme climate events.
The company emphasizes that innovation pursues a dual effect: boosting agronomic performance and, at the same time, contributing to more sustainable and circular agriculture. This vision aligns with the growing interest in solutions that reduce dependence on synthetic inputs and promote good soil management practices.
- Improved nutrient absorption and soil structure.
- Greater moisture retention in the roots and substrate.
- Reducing industrial waste by reusing by-products.
- Natural formulation oriented to drought conditions.
One vector: water efficiency and added value
Although they respond to different realities, both cases share one trait: the cactus is used as a lever to create value in environments with limited water. In China, the focus is on scale and local transformation; in Peru, on technological solutions that enable optimize resources and close cycles in the agroindustry.
This convergence points to opportunities for regions seeking alternatives to water scarcity: crops and derivatives that better withstand dry periods, inputs that improve water efficiency and models that integrate the waste management in new products.
The advancement of Zhuangzitian as a cactus-growing hub and the development of biostimulants based on cactus extract illustrate how the combination of productive specialization and innovation can open paths to agricultural diversification, boost local economies and respond to climate and environmental challenges.
