High in the pastures of Tongji village in Xizang autonomous region， a new industry is quietly taking root， one that merges the Qinghai－Tibet Plateau＇s ecological strengths with northeastern China＇s technical know－how．

High in the pastures of Tongji village in Xizang autonomous region， a new industry is quietly taking root， one that merges the Qinghai－Tibet Plateau＇s ecological strengths with northeastern China＇s technical know－how．

The semi－wild breeding area at the deer farming facility in Niangpu township， Nyingchi， Xizang autonomous region， Oct． 31， 2025． ［Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan／China．org．cn］

High in the pastures of Tongji village in Xizang autonomous region， a new industry is quietly taking root， one that merges the Qinghai－Tibet Plateau＇s ecological strengths with northeastern China＇s technical know－how．

＂In 2023， we started by introducing about 30 sika deer from Xifeng county， known as China＇s＇hometown of sika deer，＇ in Liaoning province，＂ said Danzen Yujie， Party secretary of Tongji village．

＂We carried out comprehensive trials， including wintering tests， mating management and pre－delivery transportation． The results proved the deer could survive winters， reproduce naturally in plateau conditions and withstand long－distance transport while pregnant，＂ he added．

Today， the village＇s herd has grown to more than 400， including both sika deer and red deer．

Tongji village sits in Niangpu township in Nyingchi at an average altitude of 4，000 meters， offering ideal natural conditions for deer farming． The village spans about 1，200 square kilometers， with grassland covering 65％ of its area． Crisscrossed by rivers and rich in vegetation， the village＇s natural pastures， home to medicinal herbs such as astragalus and rhodiola， provide abundant， high－quality forage for the deer．

The region＇s strong ultraviolet radiation and cool climate also help suppress pathogens， reducing disease risks and forming what local officials describe as a natural ecological farm．

＂Niangpu＇s pristine environment and high altitude give us a natural edge in deer breeding，＂ said Chen Yunfei， Party secretary of Niangpu township．

The idea of bringing the industry to Xizang came about by chance．

＂A businessman from Xifeng county visited here as a tourist，＂ Chen recalled．＂He was impressed by the beautiful mountains， clean water and healthy ecosystem， and noticed many wild deer， such as red deer and white－lipped deer， roaming the slopes． That inspired him to bring his hometown＇s deer industry here and develop it together with the local community．＂

The shared vision among the entrepreneur， local government and village collective led to establishing a deer breeding operation． With an investment of 10．5 million yuan （＄1．45 million）， Niangpu township built a 40－mu （2．7－hectare） standardized farm with 16 deer sheds， a scientific research and experiment center and a semi－wild breeding area．

The project has already brought tangible benefits．＂Last year， villagers received 120，000 yuan in dividends， 300，000 yuan in labor wages， and more than 30，000 yuan in land rent． This year， the total income from dividends， labor， and rent is expected to exceed 400，000 yuan，＂ Chen said．

Gesang Zhuomu tends to a deer at the facility in Niangpu township， Nyingchi， Xizang autonomous region， Oct． 31， 2025． ［Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan／China．org．cn］

The facility also serves as a hub for technology transfer and local talent development．

＂I came from Liaoning to take charge of feed formulation， disease prevention， and deer breeding，＂ said Liu Yanyu， a technical specialist at the facility．＂I＇m also training local herders and two young technicians．＂

One of them， Gesang Zhuomu， is a recent graduate of Xizang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University with a degree in animal science．

An expert from the Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences is also contributing to the project， focusing on breeding standards and value－added processing， according to Chen．

In partnership with Tieling Shenlu Group in Xifeng， the facility has created a range of deer products， including honey－infused deer oil． The operation has registered trademarks for its deer product series and produces more than 1 metric ton of deer－related goods annually， generating over 10 million yuan in annual output value．

＂We＇re gradually building a complete industrial chain from breeding through processing to market sales，＂ Chen said．＂Last year， our sales reached about 1．1 million yuan， and market response has been very positive． A deep－processing facility is under construction and， if all goes well， will begin operations early next year．＂

The project supports local circular agriculture． The operation purchases oats and alfalfa from local farmers and pays villagers to collect forest leaves favored by wild white－lipped deer for feed． The approach has proven the feasibility of localizing feed production for the highland deer industry， adding more than 100，000 yuan to village incomes．

From the mountains of Liaoning to the alpine grasslands of Xizang， cooperation between northeastern technology and southwestern ecology is opening new paths for rural revitalization on the plateau．