Farmers work at a morel mushroom farm in Dongyang, Jinhua. [Photo/Dongyang Media Convergence Center]
A morel mushroom farm in Shuguang village, Dongyang county-level city, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, is achieving remarkable success thanks to its innovative agricultural practices. The farm has adopted advanced technology and a "rice-mushroom rotation" model, boosting production and paving the way for modern agriculture.
Morels have high economic value but are difficult to cultivate due to their specific environmental requirements, and the farm previously struggled with inconsistent yields. However, in 2025, a partnership with Shandong Golden Sun Agricultural Development Co brought professional guidance, boosting productivity by nearly 30 percent. This year, the farm's morel cultivation expanded to 50 mu (3.33 hectares), with yields expected to exceed 500 kilograms per mu.
To address spring's rapid temperature rise and low humidity, high-pressure atomization hanging sprays and shading nets have been installed. "The hanging spray enables precise water replenishment and rapid cooling, creating a suitable environment for the morel mushrooms," explained technician Bai Zonghong. This has also allowed the farm to reduce labor costs, allowing a single worker to handle tasks that previously required multiple people.
To boost sales, the farm's owner, Zhao Yongliang, has adopted a new model that connects the company and the farm, with buyers led by the partner company to purchase freshly harvested morels on-site, allowing the farm to receive income immediately. According to Zhao, this year's total output value is projected to exceed 1 million yuan ($145,000).
With a commitment to ecological sustainability, the farm is exploring a "dry grain-morel" rotation model to ensure continuous land use and enhance soil fertility.
All these approaches have transformed the farmland into a prosperous field, boosting incomes and contributing to rural vitalization.
