Lizhou Lingzhi

Lizhou Lingzhi

　　Lizhou has been a major producer of lingzhi (reishi mushrooms) since ancient times. Located at the junction of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces, Lizhou boasts extremely rich biodiversity. Historically, the region has been known for lingzhi production. Wild lingzhi can be widely found across the area, especially in mid-to-high mountainous regions above 500 meters in elevation, growing in dark, damp broadleaf forests around decaying trees, fallen branches, and stumps. Herbalists have long regarded the collection of wild lingzhi as an important part of gathering traditional medicinal herbs.

　　　The artificial cultivation of Lizhou lingzhi began in the 1990s. In February 1990, the Agricultural Science Institute under the County Science and Technology Commission introduced lingzhi cultivation techniques and conducted trials in Baochao Township and Rongshan Town of Lizhou District, involving 41 households cultivating lingzhi on 12 mu of land. The lingzhi fruited well in summer, and all the produce was sold, marking the success of this small-scale trial. In May 1992, an external company partnered with the Lizhou Edible Fungus Seed Plant, adopting a credit-based system to distribute lingzhi spawn for short-log cultivation in Baochao Township, achieving a bumper harvest. One farmer surnamed Wang earned 5,000 yuan from lingzhi fruiting bodies and 25,000 yuan from lingzhi spore powder that year, causing a sensation among farmers in Lizhou District. From then on, lingzhi production rapidly expanded across the district. By 1995, the number of lingzhi cultivators in Baochao Township exceeded 100, with a total output of over 10 tons. Merchants from Guangzhou, Jiangsu, Fujian, and other places came to purchase the product, giving Lizhou lingzhi a growing reputation nationwide. In 1996, the cultivation area expanded from Baochao to other towns including Baolun, Rongshan, Dashi, ——, and Sandui, yielding 105 tons of lingzhi, 14 tons of spore powder, and generating 6.8 million yuan in output value. Among these, Baochao Township alone accounted for 3.6 million yuan in output value, about 48% of the total lingzhi production in Lizhou. In 1997, more towns in the district began cultivating lingzhi, with total output reaching 510 tons and a total output value of 16.5 million yuan. In 1998, Baochao Township saw peak lingzhi production, yielding over 620 tons with an output value of 28 million yuan. This single product increased per capita income by 1,400 yuan in the township, attracting coverage from multiple media outlets in Sichuan Province and earning Baochao the title of “Province’s No. 1 Lingzhi Township.” In 2003, the district’s total lingzhi output reached 1,250 tons, including 300 tons of spore powder, with a total output value of 60 million yuan. Later, Lizhou District adjusted its lingzhi development strategy, adhering to principles of total volume control, rational distribution, and sustainable growth. The annual production scale was maintained at around 5.5 million logs, yielding approximately 550 tons, keeping Lizhou one of the largest log-grown lingzhi production bases in Sichuan Province. Due to its early development, Lizhou lingzhi enjoys high national recognition, with annual trading volumes reaching up to 1,000 tons.