Kaiyang's under-forest economy turns woodlands into gold

Workers at Kaiyang county's State-owned Shuangyong Forest Farm are busy harvesting bamboo mushrooms, showcasing a thriving under-forest economy.

Guizhou Fuqian Selenium Green Agriculture Development Co has cultivated over 1,000 mu (66 hectares) of bamboo mushrooms in the area and surrounding towns, setting a model for sustainable forest-based development.

Yunshan Chahai tea garden in Kaiyang county. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Relying on 1.52 million mu of forests with a 57 percent coverage rate, the county has implemented an integrated model of under-forest planting, breeding, and wellness. In 2024, 294,000 mu was utilized for under-forest activities, generating 1.4 billion yuan ($195.6 million) and raising incomes for over 3,000 households by an average of 3,000 yuan per person. Key products include bamboo mushrooms, morels, and medicinal herbs, with over 30 enterprises and seven cooperatives participating.

Under-forest breeding is also flourishing. In Shuanghe village, a "village committee + company + farmers" model has created 2,000 mu of breeding bases, raising over 1,000 Tibetan fragrant pigs. Eco-farms are also exploring "forest + poultry" and "forest + bees" systems to achieve sustainable, green cycles.

Kaiyang is combining under-forest activities with tourism, developing tea and forest wellness experiences. Once-barren hills now host 5,000 mu of ecological tea gardens, attracting visitors for sightseeing and tea-picking. Scenic areas, such as canyons and sinkholes, offer rafting, rock climbing, and adventure activities, transforming rural tourism into immersive experiences.