From trash to treasure, straw brings in revenue
2024-05-17 19:05:00
By Yan Wanqin, Yichang International Communication Studio
Yichang has actively explored ways to utilize straw, promoting the advancement of green agriculture. The utilization rate of straw has consistently exceeded 95% throughout the year.
Yichang has actively explored ways to utilize straw, promoting the advancement of green agriculture. The utilization rate of straw has consistently exceeded 95% throughout the year.
Farmers harvest rapeseed in Xianjiagang Village of Zhijiang. Photo by Liu Kang.
"There are mainly three types of straw in Yichang, including corn, rice, and wheat, with an annual production of more than 2.3 million tons," said Chen Mingfu, director of the Yichang Rural Energy Office.
In Gujiadian town, Zhijiang, straw is cut into pieces and returned to the fields after the rapeseed harvest as a method of disposal. In Dangyang, straw-made haystacks and artwork draw many visitors during the annual wheat field music festival, generating tourism income for locals.
Yichang is exploring straw processing to address pollution from straw burning. They are considering converting straw into animal feed or organic fertilizers.
In 2023, the city launched a three-year development plan to comprehensively utilize straw. Yichang has received a total of 52.79 million yuan (US$7.3 million) from the central and provincial governments in recent years. Four key counties, including Changyang, Zhijiang, Yiling, and Dangyang, have been established for comprehensive utilization.
Subsidies are provided at a maximum rate of 50 yuan per ton for straw collection, storage, transportation, and utilization. Processing and returning the straw to the field receive a subsidy of 20 yuan per ton.
Yichang has implemented preferential policies to foster leading enterprises in straw industrialization. Currently, there are 112 enterprises utilizing over 1,000 tons of straw annually. The city's storage capacity has reached 621,200 tons, establishing a complete collection and storage chain.
Furthermore, Yichang has established 14 demonstration bases for comprehensive utilization and diversified processing of straw, based on local conditions.
In Gujiadian town, Zhijiang, straw is cut into pieces and returned to the fields after the rapeseed harvest as a method of disposal. In Dangyang, straw-made haystacks and artwork draw many visitors during the annual wheat field music festival, generating tourism income for locals.
Yichang is exploring straw processing to address pollution from straw burning. They are considering converting straw into animal feed or organic fertilizers.
In 2023, the city launched a three-year development plan to comprehensively utilize straw. Yichang has received a total of 52.79 million yuan (US$7.3 million) from the central and provincial governments in recent years. Four key counties, including Changyang, Zhijiang, Yiling, and Dangyang, have been established for comprehensive utilization.
Subsidies are provided at a maximum rate of 50 yuan per ton for straw collection, storage, transportation, and utilization. Processing and returning the straw to the field receive a subsidy of 20 yuan per ton.
Yichang has implemented preferential policies to foster leading enterprises in straw industrialization. Currently, there are 112 enterprises utilizing over 1,000 tons of straw annually. The city's storage capacity has reached 621,200 tons, establishing a complete collection and storage chain.
Furthermore, Yichang has established 14 demonstration bases for comprehensive utilization and diversified processing of straw, based on local conditions.
