Poverty alleviation

Xiao Qingson, a construction worker from Jinmi village in Zhashui county, Shaanxi province, said he never imagined that growing a small, edible black fungus could help lift his family out of poverty.

"I grew fungus before. It is very hard work and the yield depends heavily on precipitation. I didn't make much money," he told Science and Technology Daily.

In 2018, local officials introduced a new strain of fungus created by noted mycologist Li Yu, designed specifically to thrive in the local climate.

However, Xiao was skeptical of planting the new crops that came in white bags filled with organic nutrients and punctured with holes. It was a far cry from his perception of fungus growing on tree trunks.

After encouragement from friends, Xiao planted about 40,000 bags of the fungus last year. To his surprise, the yield was high and the fungus was very palatable. He made more than 30,000 yuan ($4,640).

Scientists have helped to turn fungi into tea, supplements and other products with high market value. They have also found ways to recycle the used incubator bags, turning fungi planting into a sustainable, profitable industry.

"Science and technology have changed lives," said Zhao Guohui, a sales manager at a science and technology investment and development company in Zhashui.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has invested heavily to create five new strains of fungi for local growers.

Last month, Xu Nanping, vice-minister of science and technology, said the sector in China has invested over 20 billion yuan in poverty alleviation since 2012.

The funding supported about 37,600 projects that produced over 50,000 practical technologies and new crop varieties, providing strong support for the transformation of economies and livelihoods in impoverished regions, he said.

"We believe science and technology will play increasingly vital roles in revitalizing and modernizing villages," Xu said.

He added that the ministry will safeguard the fruits of poverty alleviation by providing more talent and resources at the grassroots.

Lan Yujie, head of the ministry's Department of Science and Technology for Rural Development, said the key to overcoming poverty in the long term is to provide the means and motivation to enable people to achieve success on their own.

"A prosperous local industry is a prerequisite for solving many issues at the village level," he said.

"The ministry will continue to involve the public in poverty alleviation projects, from providing training to selling produce, so farmers can truly reap the benefits of science and technology and become self-sufficient."