Prospering from the land

Herbal infusion

Another specialty of Nujiang prefecture is caoguo (Amomum tsaoko), a ginger-like plant used as herbal medicine and as a seasoning.

The plant grows throughout the region's mountains. But locals didn't have reliable channels through which to sell it at reasonable and stable prices.

So, Yunnan Energy Investment Group cooperated with the prefecture's government to establish Nujiang Poverty Alleviation and Investment Development Co Ltd, which established factories near the villages and purchases caoguo directly from the villagers.

The company's general manager Zhang Jihua says transporting caoguo is difficult for villagers. And it's dried over fires, which poses health hazards.

"The price of caoguo has gradually stabilized since our company started in 2017," Zhang Jihua says.

"The quality has also improved through the training we offer farmers and government support."

The company has been working with such institutions as Yunnan Agricultural University and Southwest University in Chongqing to extend the shelf life of caoguo and develop new products.

The company says it has made purchases from over 5,000 households from 14 counties in the prefecture and created 277 jobs for locals.