Fungus business to prosper in Xifeng

Auricularia polytricha is a kind of edible fungus known as Huangbei Fungus in Chinese. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Arrays of sticks bearing the fungus stand in rows at the trial planting base in Songjiazhai village, Liuchang town, Xifeng county in Southwest China's Guizhou province. Farmers at the base occupy themselves with picking and bagging the mature fungus.

"This is the first batch of the fungus that we've grown here. The trial plants are successful, and their shape, size and color are consistent with our expectations," said Tan Minggang, general manager of a platform firm. "By the end of October, when the fungus picking is over, this business will create a total output value estimated at 4 million yuan ($600,000)."

Tan said that the firm has signed framework agreements with fungi bag producers and sales companies, allowing an all-in-one approach that integrates fungi bag supply, technological instructions and sales. In addition, the fungus growing is easy to promote as it is easy to care for.

Requiring low investment and characterized by high efficiency, this type of fungus was selected following multiple research projects undertaken by the Liuchang town government.

Through initial calculations, added Tan, the fungus business can bring a revenue of 10,000 yuan for each household.

Liuchang town will adopt a "firm + cooperative agency + household" development model, and make good use of local villagers' vacant residences to expand the business.