Local villagers work at a medicinal herb cultivation base in Rudong, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]

At the planting base of Nantong Sandao Agricultural in Jincheng village, Hekou town, Rudong, the harvesting of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs — Corydalis (Yuanhu) and Fritillaria (Beimu) — is nearing completion.

According to company head Shi Qinghua, this year's yield has been rewarding, with Yuanhu generating a net income of over 15,000 yuan ($2,085.85) per mu (667 square meters), and Beimu exceeding 20,000 yuan per mu.

Effective management of water and fertilizers, combined with targeted disease prevention measures against soft rot, has been crucial in preserving crop quality. Thanks to this high standard, the herbs are in high demand across major markets nationwide.

The cultivation model adopted by Shi is based on intercropping, allowing the land to be used year-round. "We've divided our farmland into two sections," Shi explained. "One is used to grow rice, which helps control weeds and improve soil health by returning straw to the field. The other is planted with cash crops like edamame, soybeans, and corn, bringing in a net profit of over 1,500 yuan per mu."

His model has drawn attention from nearby villagers. "We provide free planting techniques and follow-up management support," Shi said. "Last year, we recommended edamame, which is easy to manage and flexible in harvest time. Sales reached 3,000 yuan per mu, with profits around 2,000 yuan."

With growing interest, more than 20 local households have now joined the medicinal herb cultivation effort, expanding the planting area to over 200 mu. Shi plans to scale up the base to 500 mu within three to five years and develop a full industry chain that integrates production, cultivation, processing, and sales.