Hand-made astragalus slices. [Photo/Datong Daily]

Hunyuan county in Datong, Shanxi province, renowned as the hometown of astragalus, is transforming its traditional medicinal herb into a thriving industry with an impressive annual output value of 1.5 billion yuan ($221 million).

The county is currently home to 157 market entities in the astragalus industry and exports astragalus products to over 60 countries, including Japan, Canada, and the United States, with an annual output of 25,000 metric tons.

The unique selenium-rich gneiss soil combined with an average annual temperature of 6.2 C, creates optimal conditions for high saponin content and distinct appearance in the astragalus.

Hunyuan prioritizes seed source protection by conducting comprehensive germplasm resource surveys and establishing a 5,000-mu (333 hectares) seed source base, preserving 1,000 astragalus germplasm resources.

Following a "natural growth" model, Hunyuan avoids chemical fertilizers and pesticides, allowing astragalus to mature over six years. Large machinery is banned in the mountains to protect the soil and the integrity of the plants.

The county is developing a series of standards that include cultivation technical procedures, fresh processing technical specifications, and a digital traceability system.

The China Hengshan Astragalus Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Hunyuan astragalus, with interactive experiences and shopping opportunities.

This museum is part of the innovative "astragalus + cultural tourism" model, which integrates local attractions like Hengshan Mountain and the Hanging Temple to offer visitors an immersive cultural experience.

Hunyuan has developed seven categories and 41 types of products, including pharmaceuticals, health products, and daily chemical products. It is establishing four new processing production lines for oral films, astragalus polysaccharides, and amino acids, expected to add 1.24 billion yuan in output value.

The astragalus industry benefits over 50,000 households, with nearly 30,000 farmers experiencing annual income increases of 20,000 yuan.

The China Hengshan Astragalus Museum in Hunyuan county. [Photo/Datong Daily]