Guiyang and Guian to drive high-quality growth in forestry industry

An action plan designed to boost the high-quality growth of the forestry industry in Guiyang and Guian New Area was issued recently, including a goal of achieving a total comprehensive output value of more than 68 billion yuan ($10.2 billion) and utilizing more than 2 million mu (133,333.33 hectares) of forests for economic purposes by 2025.

While prioritizing the protection of forest resources and their ecological functions, Guiyang and Guian are required to exploit forests in a scientific way, by adapting industrial structures, highlighting regional characteristics, and attaching due importance to developing edible fungus, herbs and other forest-based sectors.

The two regions are also expected to create a range of forest-related products, improve the quality of the ecological tourism and health maintenance industries, and create a whole industry chain that covers the production, research, processing, and sale of forest-related commodities and other elements such as tourism and culture.

In order to boost the edible fungus business, actions will be taken to simulate the growing conditions of wild fungus. By 2025, more than 10 edible fungus demonstration zones will have been built, and the forest land for growing edible fungus will reach 3,000 mu.

Medicine is another business set to be developed using forest resources. Wudang district, Baiyun district, Qingzhen city, and Xifeng county will grow herbs. By 2025, 10 herb demonstration zones will be established.

Guiyang and Guian are also recommended to raise animals in the forests, such as bees and poultry, and to strengthen planning guidelines on low-production and low-efficiency forests.

In addition, Huaxi district, Wudang district, Baiyun district, Qingzhen city, Xifeng county and Kaiyang county will arrange their forest land layouts for flower and tree breeding. The breeding base will hit 10,000 mu by 2025 as planned.

Leading enterprises as well as local special brands should be helped to advance standardized production, increase the quality of green and organic agricultural products, and improve the industry's market competency.