Herbal way to alleviate poverty

Success

The first year was a success. All the 14 households saw their annual incomes cross 50,000 yuan, and four of them earned more than 100,000 yuan each.

"Now, with subsidies from the government, locals need to spend only a small amount for planting," says Qian.

One mu (666.7 square meters) of land, yields roughly 600 kg of caowu.

And gross income from each mu can touch 15,000 yuan, while costs are 3,000 yuan, says Qian.

Qian now earns roughly 100,000 yuan a year from the herb.

Given the lucrative results, more than 90 percent of the villagers have now jumped in to grow the herb, and the plantation area has almost doubled, from 230 mu to more than 400 mu.

Tian Hongyin, 43, is using a roughly 4 mu plot of land to grow caowu, ever since he joined Qian's cooperative.

He plans to make use of his entire 6 mu land holding to grow the herb.

Back in the old days, Tian could earn around 4,000 yuan a year from growing potatoes, corn and beans.

And a large part of his land was used for growing fodder for his cattle and sheep.

"I could not afford to pay for my two children's school fees," says Tian.

But, his income jumped to 60,000-70,000 yuan in 2015. And, his two-storey house will be ready soon.