Zhejiang University’s transformative partnership: Improving healthcare and promoting economic prosperity in Jingdong County (Part 2)

Zhejiang University remains steadfast in its commitment to the guiding principles of seeking truth, pursuing innovation, and embracing an educational philosophy centered on striving for development and brilliance through dedicated service and contributions. The university relentlessly delves into the enigma of science, the depths of the humanities, and the intricacies of society. It adeptly translates profound knowledge into innovative practices, thereby contributing to the prosperity of the nation, the well-being of the people, and the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

In the past years, Zhejiang University has been dedicated to making a positive impact beyond its campus boundaries. For example, it has consistently extended its generous support to Jingdong County in Yunnan Province. Notable examples include the partnership between the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and the People’s Hospital of Jingdong County, and the contribution of the edible fungi team in transforming mushrooms into a source of economic prosperity for the region.

This is Part 2 of a two-part stories behind these partnerships.

Turn wild mushrooms from deep mountains into cash cow

As you embark on the scenic journey along the winding road bordering the Manlong River, extending 8 kilometers from the heart of Jingdong County, you can see from a distance the five red Chinese characters carved on the towering rock wall, proudly declaring “Yunjing Tianzhi Valley.” The landscape is adorned with a crystal-clear stream that flows merrily along the Manlong River, occasionally serenaded by the melodious chirping of birds in the woods. In an instant, it seems as if you were entering a paradise.

To unravel the roots of “her” origin, we need to begin with the support provided by Zhejiang University more than a decade ago...

Jingdong is home to two national-level nature reserves — Ailao Mountains and Wuliang Mountains. Together, they create one of the most biologically rich natural complexes on Earth at the same latitude. Within this captivating landscape lies a fascinating kingdom of “wild mushrooms.” People in Jingdong have long regarded wild mushrooms as a precious gift bestowed upon them by the mountains, with over half of their annual income derived from mushroom picking. They longed for a magical wand to convert this mountain treasure into a lucrative venture.

The path to achieving this transformation began in 2013 when Zhejiang University sent a team of mushroom experts to lend technological support to Jingdong’s wild mushroom industry. Chief expert CHEN Zaiming proposed a groundbreaking solution that locals had never thought of — artificial cultivation.

“Rules need to be approached with a down-to-earth approach, and experience needs to be encapsulated with a dedicated heart,” said CHEN Zaiming. Day in and day out, he delved into the intricacies of cultivating edible mushrooms, ultimately devising a “universal formula,” a one-click cultivation management system. The mycelium matures in the mushroom bag and returns to the ecological forest. Whether it’s wood-decay fungi, grass-degay fungi, or symbiotic fungi, farmers can effortlessly navigate the entire process of separation, cultivation, and production with simple adjustments. CHEN Zaiming meticulously documented these procedures into a comprehensive standard and shared it with the villagers. Consequently, each Jingdong villager has a manual for cultivating edible mushrooms. They laud it as a real “guide to wealth.”

Over the past decade, the expert team has been devoted to the exploration of the majestic Jingdong mountainous region, conducting in-depth investigations into the local wild mushroom resources. In the pursuit of advancing their understanding, they established the Jingdong Wild Mushroom Monitoring Station and the Wild Mushroom R&D Joint Laboratory.

Through great efforts, they have successfully identified and domesticated rare wild mushroom varieties for food and medicine. By 2020, their endeavors had yielded remarkable results, propelling the annual output value of the wild mushroom industry in Jingdong from a nominal figure to an impressive sum exceeding 30 million yuan. Jingdong people’s dream of turning mushrooms into “gold” has come true, and the once formidable Ailao Mountains and Wuliang Mountains now stand as an inexhaustible “green bank.”

In 2021, Zhejiang University established the Zhejiang University-Jingdong County Edible Mushroom Strain (Seedling) Demonstration Center in Shanchong Village. The center has isolated and domesticated 55 pure strains across 7 mushroom species, and bred three high-yield and high-quality new varieties. It has promoted the cultivation of ecological Ganoderma and small fragrant mushrooms in Jingdong. With an impressive annual output of 1.2 million bags, the center has significantly contributed to the economic landscape by directly augmenting income by over 30 million yuan each year.

Drawing on the technological innovations of Zhejiang University in wild mushroom science, Jingdong leveraged the local brand identity and established cooperatives, driving mutual growth among farmers. Remarkably, the cultivation of ecological Ganoderma alone has yielded a substantial benefit of 167,000 yuan per mu. As a result, cooperatives’ annual income has surged by 2.05 million yuan, with an average household income increase of 6,406 yuan.

The transformative impact of Zhejiang University’s technology on mushrooms, once concealed in the mountains for millennia, has been nothing short of remarkable. Grateful villagers have endearingly dubbed the chief expert behind this innovative endeavor as the “Mountain Land Deity.”

Embracing the spirit of pioneering endeavors and honoring the commitment to achieving benevolent acts, Zhejiang University stands as a beacon of assistance, shouldering lofty responsibilities. It is poised to advance with resolute dedication, offering solid and practical services that will undoubtedly propel it towards greater heights.