Qingyuan's edible fungi cultivation evolves

A new shiitake mushroom variety, Qingke No 2, is now harvesting at Junbo Biological Technology in Qingyuan county of Lishui, Zhejiang province.

With its unique look and texture, it has become a market favorite. Despite being priced four to five times higher than traditional varieties, it remains in high demand.

This success is attributed to the continuous efforts in breeding and acclimatizing new varieties by the Qingyuan Edible Fungi Industry Center.

A technician monitors shiitake mushroom growth in Qingyuan county, Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Located on the border of Zhejiang and Fujian, Qingyuan is an important area for wild macrofungi resources in China. The edible fungi industry has now become one of the pillar industries of the county, with an annual output value of 5.8 billion yuan ($810.57 million) and over 40,000 employees.

Facing growing competition, Qingyuan is empowering its traditional industry through technological innovation. By improving varieties, introducing digital production, and developing new products, the entire industry chain is being upgraded.

Shiitake mushrooms cultivated in Qingyuan county, Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

In 2021, the Qingyuan Edible Fungi Industry Center established the province's first germplasm resource bank for edible fungi, which has collected and preserved over 2,000 wild germplasm resources and screened more than 100 elite strains.

To date, four new varieties have been bred and promoted, helping local farmers more than triple their average annual income.

Qingyuan is also promoting intelligent transformation in production. Through smart technology, Jingchuang Edible Mushroom Technology has reduced labor costs by over 40 percent.

Additionally, Qingyuan is boosting deep processing to strengthen the industry chain. Special policies have been introduced to provide tailored support for enterprises and subsidies for talent involved in breeding rare varieties and deep processing.

Under this guidance, leading enterprises are playing an exemplary role, further driving the industry toward premium, international markets.