Digital agriculture transforms mushroom farming in Guizhou

At the digital agriculture industrial park of Guizhou Pinpinxian Biotechnology Co in Huaxi district, Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, digital technology is reshaping farming practices, shifting mushroom cultivation to smart cloud-based control.

The park spans 123 mu (8.2 hectares) and is equipped with advanced automation technology. On the first floor of the factory, an automated system efficiently processes and transports mixed substrate for antler mushrooms to the production line for automatic filling.

The mushroom cultivation room of Guizhou Pinpinxian Biotechnology Co. [Photo/Guizhou Daily]

On the second floor, cultivation and growth chambers house neatly arranged bottles of mushrooms. Strict sterilization procedures must be completed before entry to the chambers is granted, with both sterile suits and an air shower required.

Inside the mushroom rooms, an intelligent control system continuously monitors temperature, humidity, and lighting. "It's like giving mushrooms a smart home. The system automatically adjusts conditions with very little error," said factory director Zheng Xuru. This precision shortens growth cycles and enhances quality.

The company now supplies markets in Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hunan, with an expected annual output value exceeding 150 million yuan ($20.59 million) upon full production.

The digital factory also boosts local employment. Shen Jinzheng, a 38-year-old villager, now leads a team and earns about 5,000 yuan per month. The company has employed over 130 locals, increasing their annual income by more than 30,000 yuan in total.