(Yicai Global) June 29 -- Longyan city in southeastern Fujian province, once an important revolutionary base, has become a major growing area for the lingzhi mushroom, a key herb in China’s materia medica, that has turned into a significant source of income for local farmers.

Longyan, which is about 80 percent forest, was one of the starting points of the Long March of the Red Army led by the Communist Party of China back in 1934. Nowadays it is a planting base for the lingzhi mushroom, also called the purple Ganoderma lucidum, renowned for its ability to treat insomnia, chest infections and cancers.

Around 160 hectares in Jiewen village, under the jurisdiction of Longyan, are planted with the medicinal mushrooms and this is expected to reach 200 hectares this year. The crop has helped boost the per capital disposable income of villagers to CNY25,000 (USD3,870) a year.

The lingzhi mushroom can be harvested twice a year, and hence it brings yields very fast, said He Mingze, deputy mayor of neighboring Wan'an town. The fungus grows naturally in hot and humid regions and the good local ecology means the mushroom can be sold at a good price.

Xie Chunrong and his wife used to earn a living by doing odd jobs in the village. Now they grow lingzhi mushrooms, russula mushrooms, kiwi fruit and keep bees. Last year they earned over CNY100,000 and continue to invest back into their business.

The development of the forest economy also helps protect the natural environment. The forest coverage rate rose 1.81 percent last year from 2015 and the forest stock volume rose over 20 percent to 24.9 million cubic meters.

Editor: Kim Taylor