Chinese caterpillar fungus cultivated sustainably in Yidu
2024-05-25 20:05:38
By Yan Wanqin, Yichang International Communication Studio
Cultivating Chinese caterpillar fungus in a man-made environment has become a booming business in Yidu.
Cultivating Chinese caterpillar fungus in a man-made environment has become a booming business in Yidu.
Growing Chinese caterpillar fungus. Photo by Dong Xiaobin.
Guangdong-based HEC Group has set up the world's first breeding industrial base for Chinese caterpillar fungus in Yidu, whose output value is expected to reach 10 billion yuan (US$1.38 billion) this year.
Workers sort Chinese caterpillar fungus at a workshop in the Yidu cultivation base of HEC Group.The Chinese caterpillar fungus parasitizes the larvae of ghost moths and produces a fruiting body which makes it a valuable material in traditional Chinese medicine for benefiting the lung, hemostasis and phlegm. Artificial breeding of Chinese caterpillar fungus used to be difficult due to its extremely strict growing conditions. It is mainly found in the meadows above 3,500 meters on the Oinghai-Xizang Plateau in Xizang and the Himalayan regions of Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
In 2007, HEC began their initiative to solve this challenge. Its researchers simulated the ecological environment of the main production area of Chinese caterpillar fungus in a closed environment. In 2009, they found the solution for ensuring the process is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
"It takes up to two or three years for a larva to grow into a pupae and finally become Chinese caterpillar fungus," said Guo Yu, deputy general manager of the Chinese caterpillar fungus base of HEC Group. Once grown, it can become an edible product through several complicated processes such as cleaning, selection and freeze-drying, he added.
"The market price of ordinary dried Chinese caterpillar fungus product is more than 100 yuan per gram," Guo said, explaining the precious value of the material.
Now, HEC's Yidu base has developed a series of Chinese caterpillar fungus products such as fresh, dried and freeze-dried fungus, lozenges and beauty and skincare products. The annual output can reach 60 tons with a value of nearly 10 billion yuan.
Chinese caterpillar fungus has become one of Yidu's high-quality agricultural products. It not only boosts economic growth but also environmental protection.
"Through environmentally conscious artificial breeding, the production capacity of Chinese caterpillar fungus is greatly improved. It can avoid digging in the wild and protect the natural environment," said Guo. Previously, illegal digging of natural Chinese caterpillar fungus had destroyed the fragile land surface of the Tibet plateau and the Himalayan region.
In 2007, HEC began their initiative to solve this challenge. Its researchers simulated the ecological environment of the main production area of Chinese caterpillar fungus in a closed environment. In 2009, they found the solution for ensuring the process is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
"It takes up to two or three years for a larva to grow into a pupae and finally become Chinese caterpillar fungus," said Guo Yu, deputy general manager of the Chinese caterpillar fungus base of HEC Group. Once grown, it can become an edible product through several complicated processes such as cleaning, selection and freeze-drying, he added.
"The market price of ordinary dried Chinese caterpillar fungus product is more than 100 yuan per gram," Guo said, explaining the precious value of the material.
Now, HEC's Yidu base has developed a series of Chinese caterpillar fungus products such as fresh, dried and freeze-dried fungus, lozenges and beauty and skincare products. The annual output can reach 60 tons with a value of nearly 10 billion yuan.
Chinese caterpillar fungus has become one of Yidu's high-quality agricultural products. It not only boosts economic growth but also environmental protection.
"Through environmentally conscious artificial breeding, the production capacity of Chinese caterpillar fungus is greatly improved. It can avoid digging in the wild and protect the natural environment," said Guo. Previously, illegal digging of natural Chinese caterpillar fungus had destroyed the fragile land surface of the Tibet plateau and the Himalayan region.
