Tian Ma industry thrives in Xiabaoping Township
2024-04-25 21:04:21
Tian ma, known scientifically as Gastrodia elata Blume, is a traditional Chinese medicine used for centuries. Literally translating to “heavenly hemp,” tian ma comes from the tuber of an orchid and is used for the treatment of several conditions including headaches and convulsions.
In Xiabaoping Township, Yiling District, Yichang City, tian ma processing and sales are booming. Local enterprises are busy with selection, cleaning, steaming, and grading, attracting traders nationwide for negotiations.
In Xiabaoping Township, Yiling District, Yichang City, tian ma processing and sales are booming. Local enterprises are busy with selection, cleaning, steaming, and grading, attracting traders nationwide for negotiations.
<caption> A farmer displays freshly harvested Tian Ma
Xiabaoping Township, renowned as China's "Hometown of Tian Ma," generates nearly 1 billion yuan annually from this industry. The plant here is highly prized in the national medicinal market for its quality and yield. In 2023, the township produced over 10,000 tons of fresh tian ma, exporting it across multiple provinces. During peak seasons, nearly a third of the country's dried tian ma supply originates here.
Nestled in the remote mountainous region of western Hubei, Xiabaoping Township's dominance in the national market is fueled by its extensive sales network and scientific research efforts.
Since the 1970s, Xiabaoping Township has witnessed a surge in tian ma cultivation. Today, over 5,000 farmers and 200 processing entities contribute to the thriving industry. Nearly 80% of households participate in this business, while 500 traders nationwide, with over 200 shops in Yunnan and Anhui, further expand its reach.
In the realm of research, Xiabaoping Township forges collaborations with scientific institutions to refine and enhance tian ma varieties. Their efforts have yielded the "Wuhong" variant of the herb, renowned for its resilience, superior quality, and abundant yield. Additionally, the township produces germinating bacteria and honey fungus, crucial for tian ma growth.
Nestled in the remote mountainous region of western Hubei, Xiabaoping Township's dominance in the national market is fueled by its extensive sales network and scientific research efforts.
Since the 1970s, Xiabaoping Township has witnessed a surge in tian ma cultivation. Today, over 5,000 farmers and 200 processing entities contribute to the thriving industry. Nearly 80% of households participate in this business, while 500 traders nationwide, with over 200 shops in Yunnan and Anhui, further expand its reach.
In the realm of research, Xiabaoping Township forges collaborations with scientific institutions to refine and enhance tian ma varieties. Their efforts have yielded the "Wuhong" variant of the herb, renowned for its resilience, superior quality, and abundant yield. Additionally, the township produces germinating bacteria and honey fungus, crucial for tian ma growth.
<caption>The honey fungus produced in Xiabaoping Township
Looking ahead, Xiabaoping Township aims to expand its tian ma industry through the establishment of the Three Gorges Chinese Medicine Industrial Park. The township strives to become a pivotal initial processing hub and distribution center for Chinese medicinal materials in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River.
