Rangtang Expands Highland Mushroom Farming Through Simple, Low-Cost Technology

Dragon Media News Desk

Rangtang County in southwest China’s Sichuan Province has introduced a low-cost technique to address temperature-related challenges affecting edible mushroom cultivation in high-altitude areas.

According to the Rangtang County government, farmers in Chongke Township have developed a method of lowering greenhouse temperatures by moistening shade nets installed over the roofs. Adapted to local geographical and climatic conditions, the technique reduces production costs, limits water consumption and helps maintain a stable growing environment.

During the summer, temperatures inside greenhouses in the highland region can rise excessively, disrupting mushroom growth and reducing production stability. The conventional practice of spraying water to cool greenhouses required greater expenditure, consumed large quantities of water and often failed to regulate temperatures evenly.

As an alternative, farmers constructed water-storage ponds and installed pipelines to wet the shade nets covering the greenhouses. As the water retained in the nets evaporates naturally, temperatures inside the greenhouse decline gradually and more evenly.

Because the technique does not require additional mechanical equipment, it has reduced cultivation costs. Local authorities said it has also improved water efficiency, limited heat-related damage and made it easier to maintain suitable temperature and humidity levels for mushroom growth.

Pengchuo, a farmer and deputy secretary of the village Party branch in Yitong Village, Chongke Township, has cultivated mushrooms for three years. According to local government information, he earned approximately 50,000 yuan during his first year.

In the second year, more than 2,000 kilograms of mushrooms were harvested from 3,000 cultivation bags. This year, he has placed 13,600 mushroom bags supplied free of charge by the local government inside his greenhouses.

Pengchuo said temperature control had become more effective and mushroom growth had improved following the expansion of the water-storage and pipeline system.

In recent years, Rangtang County has strengthened support for specialised highland agriculture and animal husbandry. Its measures include distributing mushroom cultivation bags free of charge, improving essential infrastructure, providing technical training and encouraging locally developed innovations.

Rangtang County produced four million mushroom cultivation bags in 2026, an increase of 1.6 million from the previous year.

Once the project reaches full operational capacity, annual production is expected to exceed 2,500 tonnes of fresh mushrooms, generating approximately 70 million yuan in output value. The initiative is also expected to expand employment opportunities and provide more stable incomes for local farmers and herders.

The county administration said it would continue researching and promoting agricultural technologies that are affordable, easy to operate and suitable for wider adoption.

By expanding and commercialising the highland mushroom industry, Rangtang aims to support comprehensive rural revitalisation and ensure steady income growth for local communities.