Han Hongyi, founder of Zhejiang Tianquan Biotechnology in Changshan county, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, is transforming the county's edible mushroom industry through innovative practices and international ambitions.

Born into a family with a rich history of mushroom cultivation, Han's father pioneered research on Gastrodia elata in Shaanxi province before moving to Hangzhou in 2000 to expand the edible mushroom business. Inspired by his father's belief in the industry's potential to drive rural development, Han left his civil service job in 2020 to pursue a career in agriculture in Changshan.

Attracted by the region's favorable climate and robust edible mushroom industry, Han established a nearly 33-hectare production base. Despite initial challenges, including market skepticism and technical hurdles, Han's perseverance has led to breakthroughs in year-round cultivation of lion's mane mushrooms, such as overcoming high-temperature planting issues.

Today, Han's company boasts an annual output exceeding 15 million yuan ($2.2 million), exporting fresh edible mushrooms to the United States, Germany, and Canada. By collaborating with academic institutions, Han has improved cultivation techniques and aligned product standards with international benchmarks.

He has also provided resources and guides for local farmers to help expand the cultivation bases of lion's mane mushrooms, driving rural prosperity.

Han played a key role in organizing the 2023 International Symposium on Mushroom Breeding & Industrial Promotion in Changshan, establishing the Changshan service station for the Mycological Society of China, and uniting experts from seven countries to enhance the global reach of Changshan's edible mushrooms.