In the picturesque hills of Zhengning County, Gansu Province, a transformative agricultural practice is taking root. The Dengzhuang Village Mushroom-Grain Circular Agriculture Demonstration Park has become a hub of activity as farmers celebrate a fruitful harvest of potatoes. What sets this harvest apart is the innovative “morel mushroom + potato” crop rotation model implemented in May after the mushroom harvest, enabling farmers to reap benefits from the same plot of land in a single year.
This approach to farming has allowed 280 acres of fertile land, previously used for morel mushrooms, to yield an impressive 10,000 pounds of potatoes per acre, generating an estimated income of 6,000 yuan per acre. Overall, this results in a staggering production value of over 1.6 million yuan for the village. The success can be attributed to the nutrient-rich mycelium and mushroom residues left in the soil, which serve as organic fertilizer for the subsequent potato crop. This natural input not only minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers but also significantly enhances soil health, leading to higher crop yields and increased land utilization.
Xu Xiangmin, the General Manager of Gansu Jiatamaosheng Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., emphasizes the importance of scientific farming practices: “By employing mulching techniques, the quality of our potatoes improves significantly, resulting in larger sizes and higher yields.” The efficient use of land through successive cropping has led to substantial increases in profitability for farmers in the region.
The promotion of mushroom-grain and mushroom-vegetable rotation models is not just improving agricultural output; it is also enhancing soil health by increasing microbial diversity and organic matter content. The mushroom byproducts serve as excellent fertilizers for subsequent crops, effectively addressing the challenges of continuous cropping and enhancing overall land productivity. This method helps reduce environmental pollution while achieving dual harvests in a year.
Since 2023, Zhengning County has strategically focused on a “three-element dual-cycle” agricultural model, aiming to establish the mushroom industry as a new growth point. By leveraging modern agricultural demonstration parks and attracting investments from companies like Shandong He Wan Jia, they have established various crop rotation bases, including the Zhengning Mushroom-Grain Circular Agriculture Demonstration Park and the Gonghe Dongli Vegetable-Mushroom Rotation Base. This comprehensive approach to agriculture, which integrates planting, livestock, and mushrooms, lays a solid foundation for rural revitalization.
The innovative “mushroom-grain rotation” technique in Gansu’s Zhengning County represents a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture. By maximizing land use and improving crop yields, this model not only benefits individual farmers but also contributes to the broader goal of rural revitalization. As more regions adopt similar practices, the future of agriculture looks promising—fostering both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
