The planting story of Yang Yuanju, a large-scale Chinese medicinal herb grower
Yang Yuanju is a large-scale Chinese medicinal herb grower in Shuanghe Village, Xintang Township, Enshi City. She grows more than 200 mu of Chinese medicinal herbs including Coptis chinensis, Eucommia ulmoides and Magnolia officinalis, and runs the Tengfei Chinese Medicinal Herb Purchasing and Marketing Department. She is a typical leader in rural prosperity.
In 2008, together with the Prefecture Science and Technology Association and the Prefecture Pharmaceutical Association, she launched a science popularization demonstration experiment on the "wild-to-domesticated" cultivation of selenium-enriched vegetables (Thlaspi arvense). Initial results were seen in 2009, making her a model of scientific rural prosperity and science and technology popularization. She was awarded the title of "Women Expert in Prosperity through Science and Technology" by the Enshi Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government.
Xintang Township, where Yang Yuanju lives, is a high-mountain and sub-high-mountain area with a complete range of Chinese medicinal herb varieties. Because no one nearby purchased them, the Chinese medicinal herbs in the mountains grew and died on their own and could not be turned into commodities. In 1996, an accidental herb purchase led Yang Yuanju to discover the business opportunity of selling herbs outside the area, and she quickly established the Tengfei Chinese Medicinal Herb Purchasing and Marketing Department, guiding villagers to gather and initially process herbs, thereby turning grass into treasure and enabling more than 200 farming households in 6 villages to make herb gathering their occupation and have a stable income.
In order to protect wild medicinal herb resources, ensure the supply of medicinal herbs and establish stable supply and marketing channels, Yang Yuanju began experiments in the "wild-to-domesticated" cultivation of Chinese medicinal herbs. After successfully renting fields to grow herbs, she guided surrounding farmers to grow medicinal herbs. Through the radiation and driving effect of the science and technology demonstration base, she successively completed a one-stop service for the planting, harvesting and processing of Coptis chinensis, Eucommia ulmoides and Magnolia officinalis. The number of science and technology demonstration households increased from more than 20 in 2006 to nearly 100, gradually forming an industrial management pattern for the medicinal herb industry of "wild-to-domesticated" scientific cultivation - large-scale standardized planting - unified minimum-price purchasing and marketing.
Xintang Township is a nationally famous selenium-enriched area. The Prefecture Science and Technology Association decided to open a science popularization experimental base for the "wild-to-domesticated" cultivation of selenium-enriched green plants in Xintang Township. Under the guidance of experts from the Prefecture Science and Technology Association and the Prefecture Pharmaceutical Association, Yang Yuanju established a science popularization demonstration base for round-leaved Thlaspi arvense and quickly completed experimental transplanting and comparative trial planting of "wild-to-domesticated" round-leaved Thlaspi arvense. At present, "wild-to-domesticated" cultivation has succeeded, and the seed harvesting season began in June.
The Chinese medicinal herb industry is an industry with large fluctuations and high risks. Having been engaged in herb purchasing and external sales for many years, Yang Yuanju has become very "shrewd." Now she adjusts her business strategy in a timely manner, ensuring the interests of medicinal herb farmers while safeguarding her own interests. Under her leadership, Shuanghe Village developed more than 3,000 mu of various Chinese medicinal herb bases in 2008.
No pains, no gains. Over the past 3 years, Yang Yuanju has been commended by the city and township authorities. In February 2009, CCTV Channel 7's program "Zhi Fu Jing" broadcast a special report on Yang Yuanju.