Ruyuan county’s experience in industrialization of eco-agriculture was reported by People’s Daily

The move of industrialization of eco-agriculture in Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County, Guangdong Province has turned its green mountains into golden mountains

Inside the the plastic greenhouse, it is quite humid after the rain. Layers of white fungus bags in cylinder shape are neatly arranged. Little ganoderma lucidum is sprouting from both ends of the fungus bags. "This dark brown ganoderma lucidum is almost ripe to pick" said Xiong Guilin, he picked up the fungus and said with a smile, "You can put it in a pot of water and boil it, the soup is good for your health!"

Xiong Guilin graduated from Shaoguan University in Guangdong Province, majoring in biology. His entrepreneurial passion was ignited after he visited Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County, then he rented an abandoned brick factory in Yiliu Town, Ruyuan county to start his rare edible fungus planting farm at the end of 2020.  
On the farm, he developed cultivation technique in imitating wild condition to grow ganoderma lucidum on lime wood, cultivated fresh ganoderma lucidum and red matsutake and etc. "Last year, we produced about 2500 kilos of fresh ganoderma lucidum, with an output value of nearly 5 million RMB, and we are expecting to double the output and output value this year." "Xiong said.

In recent years, the government of Yiliu Town has been giving strong support to the  development of the rare edible fungus cultivation industry. With the support of the town government, Xiong Guilin set up the Shaoguan Sanbao Biotechnology Co., LTD. In cooperation with 7 villages around the fungus farm, Xiong organized training programs for villagers, guided them to plant more than 667,000 square meters of bamboo fungus, ganoderma lucidum and matsutake with the use of barren hills, wood cuts and straw, realizing 20,000 more yearly income for each village.

Yiliu town is not the only town which is developing very well in eco-agriculture, but each town in Ruyuan county basically has developed their specialized products. The products cover but not limited to industries like biopharmaceutical, tea plantation, green and high-quality farm products and etc., which have formed an ecological industrial system with big health industry as its pillar industry. Ruyuan county has created 12 Guangdong Agricultural Brands and 4 National Famous High-quality Agricultural Products. At present, the area of medicinal plants in Ruyuan county reaches 17 million square meters, and the provincial modern agricultural industrial park -- Yao Minority Medicine Industrial Park has been built.

Ruyuan Yaoshanwang Tea Farm

In order to support the development of its industries, Ruyuan county has set up talent stations in towns and villages to share information on talent supply and demand, building a platform for effective communication and cooperation.

The "Talent Station" was open to boost rural revitalization in Yiliu town in February this year. In the two-story building, seven functional areas are neatly arranged, including reception, information release, publicity and exhibition, and leisure area. "We have brought in nine professionals in agriculture, stock farming and e-commerce, as well as six experts in science and technology, volunteers and financial assistants." said Deng Lianghui, Party secretary of the Yiliu town Party Committee. He pointed to the pine forest and said, "Professionals have helped us revitalize the land and develop modern agriculture, which is contributing to the betterment of the village and its people. "

Xiashe village is a few minutes away by car from the Talent Station of Yiliu town. On the Beifu mountain behind the village, towering old trees are looking at the Houchong reservoir that has crystal clear water rippling. A homestay re-built from 4 rows of 62 old residential houses is open and keeps bringing new income to the village.

Wushi village of Yiliu town

Constrained by natural conditions in mountainous areas, Ruyuan Yao Minority Autonomous County was once under developed. By revitalizing idle land, eliminating backward production capacity, and introducing a number of new projects of biomedicine, new materials, new energy and etc., Ruyuan has made the big health industry as one of its pillar industries. In 2021, the GDP growth rate of Ruyuan county was 12.2%, and the disposable income of urban and rural residents increased by an annual average of 8.1%, which exceeded the national average level for the first time.

The S250 highway connects Rucheng town, Yiliu town, Guitou town, Youxi town and Dongpingzhen new village. On both sides of the highway, you can find Ruyuan Modern Agriculture Industrial Belt, High-tech Development Zone, Yunmen Culture and Tourism Park and Health Industry Zone, forming an economic corridor with integrated development of industry, living areas and people.

"This is a pilot zone for new urbanization in Ruyuan county and also a demonstration zone for integrated urban-rural development." said Li Jifa, member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Ruyuan County, "the rise of the big health industry has promoted the better cultivation of land, retained and attracted more people, realized deeper integration of urban and rural areas. At present, the county has a population of nearly 200,000, and the urban area has expanded from 10 square kilometers to 12 square kilometers."

At present, Ruyuan is promoting the protection and restoration project of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes and grass. The forest coverage rate of the county is 78.3%, while the number of days with good air quality and the water quality of drinking water source both reach the set standards. In the future, Ruyuan county will work on to build a solid ecological barrier in northern Guangdong and promote high-quality green development in the area.