Shitang village was once in a plight with many young adults working outside, scattered and incontiguous fields, as well as large areas of barren mountains overgrown with weeds.

 

In 2024, the town government transferred 1,100 mu (73.33 hectares) of idle barren hills in the village to plant Chinese medicinal herbs. 

 

Chenzhou Shengkai Traditional Chinese Medicine Professional Planting Cooperative was then introduced to build a standardized planting base for radix fici simplicissimae.

 

“Roots, leaves, and stems of radix fici simplicissimae can all be used for deep processing. We plan to create a full industry chain involving planting, processing and wellness,” said Zheng Yunlin, head of the cooperative. 

 

As of the end of April, the base has completed land leveling and planting work for the first phase of 1,100 mu (73.33 hectares). In two years, the yield of fresh roots per mu in the base can reach 1,250 kg, and the annual output value is expected to reach 12 million yuan.

 

Local villager have already benefited from the industrial development. At present, the base has provided job opportunities for 86 villagers, including 32 from once poverty-stricken households, with an average annual income increase of over 20,000 yuan per person. 

 

“Next, we will introduce a traceability system for traditional Chinese materials and focus on building a regional public brand. We aim to expand the planting scale to 3,000 mu (200 hectares) within three years and lead five surrounding villages to   achieve joint development.” Lei Ansheng, the town secretary, introduced that the Shitang Village project is a model of “Party building plus industrial revitalization” in the whole town. 

 

The town has specially established a service team to provide technical guidance for growers. At the same time, efforts will be made to build a popular science corridor for traditional Chinese medicine and a wellness trail, and actively explore a new integrated development model involving planting, sightseeing and study tour. 

 

 

Chinese source: rednet