Workers plant medicinal herbs in an under-forest space. [Photo/WeChat ID: quzhoufb]

Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province has been developing its under-forest economy in recent years – including under-forest planting and under-forest breeding – generating a total output of around 2 billion yuan ($274.71 million).

The under-forest economy refers to ecologically sustainable activities that rely on forests and woodlands.

Qujiang district in Quzhou has pioneered a model for developing the under-forest economy featuring shared land, co-managed production, and shared benefits. This has been recognized as a typical case of national forestry reforms and development and is being promoted across the city.

The district has selected high-yielding, high-demand medicinal herbs for under-forest cultivation, creating a new industry model of integrating bamboo products, medicinal herbs, and ecological planting.

Agricultural businesses are utilizing the under-forest space for planting and breeding. The income from bamboo and bamboo shoots, which are existing economic crops, remains with the farmers. This approach reduces the difficulty and risk of land transfers and investments, thereby increasing land revenue.

Qujiang district has also signed cooperation agreements with multiple research institutions, and it has hired experts in medicinal herb cultivation, promoting the large-scale and standardized production of under-forest medicinal herbs. As a result, the main cultivated varieties of under-forest medicinal herbs have expanded to over 20 types.

Additionally, the district has promoted the construction and upgrades of under-forest medicinal herb bases. Moreover, it has created a comprehensive industry value chain for medicinal herbs – encompassing research, cultivation, planting, harvesting, processing, and sales.