Fungus and factories forge stable incomes and raise living standards

The lives of residents of four areas in western China are improving thanks to targeted measures. Zhang Yi reports from Aksu prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, with Cui Jia in Urumqi.

Tunisakhan Juma and her neighbors in Towankh Magget village spend their days taking care of rows of enormous plastic grow tubes in their fields. The tubes contain logs made from pulped walnut branches that are covered with wood ear, an edible black fungus that is rich in vitamin K.

In about four months, the fungus crop will be harvested, bringing a profit of 500,000 yuan ($72,000) to about 200 people in 64 impoverished families in the poverty-stricken village in Wushi county, Aksu prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.