Farmers increase their incomes by growing herbs used in TCM

Herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine grow on a plantation in Zhongyi township, Shizhu Tujia autonomous county, Chongqing municipality. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)

Located deep in a mountainous region, Zhongyi was on the list of Chongqing’s deeply impoverished townships until recently. Government bodies encouraged its residents to transfer their land to cooperative projects and participate in other production models in order to grow herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, which is an industry that the area is suited for. The plants are currently being cultivated on nearly 667 ha of land. The undertaking consolidates industrial poverty alleviation efforts in the locale and makes it possible for farmers to escape from poverty and increase their incomes.