Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the efforts of Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group in promoting the standardized cultivation of Zhi fruit (枳壳) in Yuanjiang, Hunan, enhancing local agricultural development and product quality through collaboration and technological innovation [1][4]. Group 1: Company Initiatives - Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group has established a standardized cultivation base for Zhi fruit in collaboration with local partners, aiming to transform local natural resources into high-quality products [1][2]. - The company emphasizes quality control by sending Zhi fruit for third-party testing, ensuring compliance with standards, which is crucial for brand building [2][3]. - The cultivation area for Zhi fruit has expanded from over 200 acres to more than 1,000 acres, with an annual production capacity exceeding 5,000 tons [4]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group has developed 81 management documents and 12 specific management files for Zhi fruit cultivation, enhancing quality from the source [3]. - The company utilizes digital technology to establish a transparent and traceable quality management system, improving efficiency and accuracy in the inspection of traditional Chinese medicine [3]. - Automation and intelligent systems are being integrated into the production process, enhancing the stability of product quality [3]. Group 3: Industry Impact - The stable demand from Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group encourages local farmers to cultivate Zhi fruit, thereby boosting rural economic development [4]. - The local government has set a target to add 1 million standardized Zhi fruit plants by the end of 2029, with an annual increase of 200,000 plants, indicating a strong commitment to industry growth [4].

Core Insights - Forest food is the third largest agricultural product in China, following grains and vegetables, with many regions currently harvesting forest foods during the summer [1] - The development of the forest economy is diversifying from single crop cultivation to multi-faceted production, enhancing the added value of forest products [7][8] Group 1: Forest Food Production - In Jiangxi Province, a cooperative has established a 1,000-acre edible mushroom cultivation base, resulting in a 10% increase in mushroom yield due to a new irrigation system supported by the government [1] - In Yunnan's Mengla Town, 20 acres of bamboo fungus are being cultivated under rubber trees, showcasing the potential of forest under-economy [3] - Nationally, over 2 billion tons of various forest foods are produced annually, with more than 2,400 out of 2,800 counties engaged in economic forest cultivation [5] Group 2: Value Addition and Processing - The local mango industry in Lijiang, Yunnan, has developed deep processing capabilities, producing mango juice, dried mango, and frozen fruit blocks, with a sales network extending nationwide and internationally [10] - The processing of fresh fruit into high-value medicinal materials has increased the value of products like bitter orange by over five times through 14 processing steps [12] Group 3: Ecological and Tourism Development - The forest landscape is being utilized to create economic value, with various regions expanding their ecological product value transformation channels [15] - In Zhejiang's Tiantai County, a forest wellness industry has been developed, attracting tourists for health and recreation, with multiple forest wellness bases established [17] - In Heilongjiang's Yichun, the region is leveraging its ecological resources to develop a forest wellness tourism cluster, which has spurred growth in related sectors like homestays and cultural products [19] Group 4: Economic Impact - Since 2018, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration has launched several national forest tourism routes, contributing to an annual output value of approximately 1 trillion yuan from the forest economy, benefiting millions of forest farmers [21]