Modern agricultural technology fuels growth of fish mint industry
2025-03-07 20:03:37
By Yan Wanqin.
Dangyang, known as the "Home of Fish Mint" in China, is leveraging modern agricultural technology to transform this spring vegetable into a booming industry, driving economic growth and promoting sustainable farming practices.
The greenhouses at Yiyang Group's cultivation base are optimized with integrated water and fertilizer systems, plus automated lighting and temperature controls. These innovations enable year-round production, overcoming seasonal limitations.
Dangyang, known as the "Home of Fish Mint" in China, is leveraging modern agricultural technology to transform this spring vegetable into a booming industry, driving economic growth and promoting sustainable farming practices.
The greenhouses at Yiyang Group's cultivation base are optimized with integrated water and fertilizer systems, plus automated lighting and temperature controls. These innovations enable year-round production, overcoming seasonal limitations.
Fish mint at the smart greenhouse of Yiyang Group's cultivation base. Photo by You Man."The sprouts, priced at 116 yuan (US$16) per kilogram, are supplied exclusively to high-end markets, with orders scheduled two months in advance," said Tan Haibo, general manager of Hubei Green Time Agriculture.
Precise environmental management allows the base to achieve three times the yield per mu (0.067 hectares) compared to traditional seasonal farming.
In Qunfeng Village, freshly harvested fish mint is washed, sorted, and transported nationwide via cold-chain logistics. This year, the planting area has expanded to 103,000 mu, with stable yields of 5,000 to 6,000 kilograms per mu. Thanks to a dual online-offline sales model, daily shipments now exceed 300 tons.
The Dangyang Agricultural and Rural Bureau is also pioneering innovative intercropping techniques in experimental fields, such as alternating fish mint with corn or rice. These methods save 40% of land usage and can increase farmer incomes by 5,000 yuan per mu.
"Fish mint's root-secreted antibacterial compounds reduce pest damage, while leftover stalks enrich the soil as organic fertilizer, creating a sustainable cycle," said Zheng Jidong, director of the Bureau's Vegetable Station of Specialty Product Extension Center.
In a 200-mu germplasm resource garden, researchers are developing and optimizing 137 fish mint varieties. Using molecular marker-assisted breeding, new varieties have boosted yields by 20 percent.
At the Hubei Yiyang Biotechnology Industrial Park, fish mint is being transformed into a variety of products, including cordata pickles, skincare items, and beverages.
"Eighteen technological breakthroughs have raised the comprehensive utilization rate of fish mint to 98 percent. Derivatives like oral care products have increased its value by 20 times," said Yu Tao, head of the company.
By 2025, Dangyang plans to establish China’s largest fish mint distribution center, further driving industry growth and showcasing the power of agricultural innovation.
Zhang Kai and Fang Zixuan contributed to this story.
