Matsutake mushrooms harvested in Huayuan County

In spring, in Changtan Village, Changle Township, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, matsutake mushrooms emerge from the mushroom beds covered with straw and villagers are busy harvesting them.

“The matsutake mushrooms were planted in October last year and fruited in the first lunar month this year. The yield per mu (about 0.067 hectares) is expected to reach about 3,000 to 4,000 kilograms, and more than 1,000 kilograms have been harvested. The entire harvesting period can last until May this year,” said Wu Xinxing, Party secretary of the village. Since 2022, Changtan Village has developed the edible mushroom industry to promote poverty alleviation and rural revitalization. It has increased investment and introduced Jinlai Agriculture Co., Ltd. in Huayuan County. The problem of mushroom inoculation in summer has been solved with the company’s technologies.

In 2023, the collective economic income of the village increased by more than 60,000 yuan through mushroom cultivation. Changtan Village began to try planting a variety of edible mushrooms at the end of last year due to good prospects and fast returns of edible mushrooms.

Matsutake mushroom is one of the top ten varieties on the international mushroom trading market. It is known as the “king of mushrooms”, with medicinal and edible value. It’s deeply loved by consumers and has broad market prospects with its short growth cycle, long output cycle, high yield, and a fresh and tender taste.

“The successful trial planting of matsutake mushrooms has increased our confidence in developing the edible mushroom industry. This year, the village has planted 8-mu (about 0.53 hectares) matsutake mushrooms. Based on the current wholesale price of 20 yuan per kilogram, it’s expected to achieve about 30,000 yuan per mu (about 0.067 hectares),” said Wu Xinxing. The edible mushroom industry is a labor-intensive industry, and manual labor is required for processes such as stick making, inoculation, picking, and packaging. The development of the edible mushroom industry in Changtan Village has enabled some villagers to achieve employment nearby without having to go out to work. In 2023, the base paid 128,000 yuan of labor fees and 18,000 yuan of land transfer fees to villagers.

“It’s 400 yuan per mu (about 0.067 hectares) per year for land transfer, and my family can have a land transfer income of 800 yuan with two mu (about 0.13 hectares) of land. I usually take care of my grandchildren and do some chores at home. And I can receive more than 10,000 yuan of labor fees per year by working in the base in my free time,” said a villager.

As of now, Changtan Village has developed various edible mushrooms such as shiitake mushrooms, matsutake mushrooms, and oyster mushrooms to strengthen the collective economy of the village and increase people’s income.

“Last year, 100,000 sticks of shiitake mushrooms were planted, but they were still in short supply. This year, the village plans to expand the planting area of various edible mushrooms, building a multi-strain edible mushroom industry chain, driving the common development of the village and surrounding villages,” said Wu Xinxing.