Growing Chinese medicinal herbs brings high income and very considerable economic returns

Time: May 27

Location: Zhaohe Subdistrict, Sheqi County

"My family planted 42 mu of Atractylodes macrocephala last year, with a net income of nearly 7,000 yuan per mu, and an annual income of 300,000 yuan!" At noon, when the reporter visited the Sheqi Zhanqi Grain Planting Professional Cooperative in Gaozhuang Village, Zhaohe Subdistrict, Sheqi County, the cooperative's person in charge, Liu Tiehua, was guiding workers in weeding and watering. Speaking of last year's harvest, her face was wreathed in smiles.

Liu Tiehua originally lived in Gouzhuang Village, Madeng Town, Xichuan County. Six years ago, for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, she moved from her hometown in Xichuan to Gaozhuang Village, Zhaohe Subdistrict. After moving to her new home, how to develop and become prosperous became something Liu Tiehua thought about day and night. Many local migrants went out to work, and much of the village's land was neglected. After discussing with her husband, Liu Tiehua transferred more than 1,100 mu of land at a price of 600 yuan per mu per year, signed an 11-year transfer contract, and invested nearly one million yuan, mainly planting corn and wheat.

After two or three years, Liu Tiehua found that growing grain crops did not earn much money, while the risks were not small. Last year, the Atractylodes macrocephala harvest was good, and after harvesting, the 42 mu of Atractylodes macrocephala was transported to the Chinese medicine market in Anhui Province for sale. Atractylodes macrocephala sold for about 32 yuan per kilogram, with total revenue reaching 300,000 yuan! Through study and investigation, plus last year's successful experience growing Atractylodes macrocephala, Liu Tiehua changed her approach. In addition to planting 700 mu of land with wheat, she also expanded the scale of Chinese medicinal herb cultivation, setting aside more than 900 mu of land to plant Chinese medicinal herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala, Angelica dahurica, white peony root, and mugwort. At peak times, nearly 100 people were needed in a single day for work, adding a sum of wage income for nearby villagers.

Liu Tiehua said: "The migrant resettlement policies are good, the government provides a lot of support, and growing Chinese medicine brings high income, so I have more drive to work. Now the transferred land exceeds 1,680 mu, accounting for 75% of the whole village's arable land." Driven by Liu Tiehua, many local people have become prosperous by growing Chinese medicinal herbs. (Zhang Fei)