Morels uphold rural vitalization in Jiuzhuang town

Spring has arrived in Jiuzhuang town, Xifeng county, Guiyang, where morels are bursting forth from the earth, with their quaint gray-brown parasols promising harvest.

"After careful cultivation, transplanting, and low-temperature preservation, the morels are ready for harvest," said Fan Jiyong, head of the morel planting base of Guiyang Yuzhirun Fungus Industry Co. 

The growth of morels is promising. [Photo/WeChat account of Xifeng county]

This year, the base has cultivated 83 mu (5.53 hectares) of morels, with an expected yield of over 350 kilograms per mu. Due to their excellent appearance and quality, the morels are currently selling for 140 yuan ($19.28) per kg, leading to an estimated income of 4.06 million yuan for the year.

Jiuzhuang is currently working to develop its edible fungi industry. In July 2020, Guiyang Yuzhirun Fungus Industry Co established a 20-mu fungus seed production base in Wangcheng village. In addition to morels, this base can also produce seeds of red pine mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and agaric. The base has also spurred the development of morel cultivation across the town, with over 140 mu planted so far, reaching a yield of 49,000 yuan per mu and an estimated annual output value exceeding 6.8 million yuan.

A worker at the base inspects the growth of morels. [Photo/WeChat account of Xifeng county]

The cultivation of morels requires meticulous daily management. Aside from professional technicians, a significant amount of labor is needed for picking, sorting, and drying, thus creating many job opportunities and increasing incomes for locals.

Moving forward, Jiuzhuang will continue to leverage its existing resources to expand the planting of morels and other characteristic industries, so as to further increase agricultural efficiency and farmers' incomes.