Shangcai dandelion specialty cultivation: both beautiful and profitable

[Zhumadian Guangshi Network News] (Reporter Su Sha) On April 25, a reporter from Zhumadian Guangshi Network saw in Yuanzhai Village, Shaodian Town, Shangcai County that nearly 100 mu of dandelions had matured, and some villagers were busy in the fields, harvesting the dandelions with tools.

Villagers harvesting dandelions.

After harvesting, the dandelions are dried in the sun on the grounds.

Gathering up the sun-dried dandelions.

In the dandelion fields, the white and yellow flowers set each other off and look especially beautiful. However, the dandelions here are not just beautiful; they also have high medicinal and economic value. According to Liu Zhenkun, president of the dandelion cultivation cooperative, the yellow flowers are the dandelion's "childhood," when its medicinal value is at its best. The white flowers are the mature form of the dandelion that everyone is familiar with.

The dandelion in its "young" form.

Liu Zhenkun is from Zili Village, Shaodian Town. After graduating from university, he cultivated medicinal herbs in Xinjiang. When he returned home to start a business, after conducting surveys, he chose dandelions. In 2014, Liu Zhenkun returned to his hometown and set up a cooperative. Today, the dandelions he cultivates in Yuanzhai Village and Zili Village cover a total area of 260 mu.

The large expanse of dandelions is truly beautiful.

A Guangshi Network reporter learned from dandelion growers that dandelions require little management. After the seeds are planted in the first year, they reproduce on their own; afterward, growers only need to harvest them. After drying and baling, pharmaceutical companies send vehicles to collect them. The dandelions here can be harvested five times a year, and each mu can bring in about 3,000 yuan. Because it saves time and labor, the income is decent, and sales are not a problem at all, it is much better than growing other crops. For this reason, many farmers in Shaodian Town have begun growing dandelions one after another.

Liu Zhenkun, president of the dandelion cultivation cooperative, sees a bumper harvest in sight.

It is understood that dandelion is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is sweet in nature and slightly bitter, and can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and dissipate nodules. Dandelion contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, trace elements and vitamins, among others, and has rich nutritional value. It can be eaten raw, stir-fried, or made into soup, and is a plant used both as medicine and food.