In recent years, Wuping, one of the first 20 national demonstration bases, has been exploring innovative ways of developing under-forest economy, attempting to help boost the use of China's forest land, which is twice the size of its arable land.
Planting is one of the major forms of under-forest economy, for the shady and humid environment is ideal for cultivating Chinese medicinal herbs such as windpipe trachea and sarcandra glabra, most of which are still grown in the wild.
On a rented 5-hectare hillside in Pannihu, each wild tree is bound along the lower trunk by several white bands containing various stalks similar to orchids.
"They're the dendrobium officinate, very expensive," said Feng Kaihong, employee of the Xinmaoyuan company. "Growing on trees greatly increases their medicinal value, and market prices."
Meanwhile, more and more Wuping farmers are choosing to raise animals as chickens, ducks, sheep, deer and frogs in their forests, among them fly bees.
Zhong Liangsheng started a major beekeeping business five years ago. "Forests cover nearly 80 percent of this county and flowers blossom everywhere all the time," he said. "I'm sure we can produce the best honey in China."
Zhong recruited more than 200 people, including 150 disabled farmers, to his beekeeping cooperative. "We offer technology, credit and protective pricing to our disabled members," said Zhong. "They can easily earn 20,000 to 80,000 yuan a year."
Although enjoying "unexpected" fast growth, Zhong is far from satisfied. At present, he only has 20,000 hives, one thirtieth of the county's potentiality.
Zhong has also been trying to further monetize the apiculture industry through tourism.
"Tourists are getting more and more interested in bee photography and honey gathering," said Zhong, adding that 35 people had adopted hives.
Forest tourism has a lot of potentials.
"Farmers provide tourists services, such as lodging and food,"said Qiu. "They also sell local specialties."
Nestled in the well-known Liangye Mountain, Yunzai used to be one of the poorest villages in Wuping. Nowadays, tourists flock to admire the natural woodland, grand waterfalls, and to breathe in the fresh air.
"Our younger generation used to be migrant workers, now they are returning home," said Qiu Guanglin, one of the villagers. "If we can easily get rich by working at home, why leave?"
