Herds of Qishan Goat graze on the hillsides of Yongdeng county, Lanzhou. [Photo/Lanzhou Daily]

This year, Yongdeng county in Lanzhou has actively advanced its Qishan Goat industry, shifting from scattered herding to scaled operations, from extensive management to standardized practices, and from an unnamed product to a recognized brand. What were once free?grazing goats on the hillsides have now become a reliable source of income for local residents.

Building on the natural advantages of the Qishan Goat — nourished by high?altitude pastures in the Qilian Mountains — the county has carefully planned its breeding layout, establishing a coordinated "two zones, one ranch" structure.

This year, a thousand?ton annual mutton processing line backed by leading local enterprises is expected to commence operation by the end of December, significantly boosting processing capacity. Through increased product development, diversified items such as marinated and smoked mutton have been introduced, raising the added value per goat by 30 percent. The initiative has already increased per?capita income by over 2,000 yuan ($282.78) for more than 4,000 households, benefiting about 18,000 residents.

In brand development, Yongdeng has formulated a high?quality standard system for the Qishan Goat and established a full?process traceability platform. The county has also explored the cultural roots of its mutton cuisine, designing packaging and logos that reflect local characteristics. Online and offline campaigns further enhance the brand's visibility.

Today, "Yongdeng Qishan Goat" stands as a prominent representative of the "Ganwei" agricultural brand. Moving forward, Yongdeng county will continue to deepen its focus on this distinctive industry, supporting rural vitalization and striving toward an even broader future.