State Grid Nanyang Power Supply Company: “Quality Electricity” Powers the Growth of the Edible Mushroom Industry

“We’ve gone all-electric with our shiitake mushroom farming and processing operations here. Our village produces 70,000 kilograms of dried mushrooms annually, creating jobs and prosperity for 80 households right on their doorsteps,” a staff member from Laofengou Village in Erlong Town, Zhenping County, Nanyang, Henan Province, shared on November 1st. Across Erlong Town, nearly 2,000 households have similarly benefited from the local mushroom industry to achieve employment and prosperity within their community.

Nestled in the deep mountainous region, Erlong Town in Zhenping County is blessed with stunning landscapes and lush greenery, yet the limited arable land and its remote setting have historically impeded economic progress. In recent years, by embracing the ethos of “develop each township with distinctive industries, each village with income-generating projects, and each household with wealth-creating products,” local authorities have honed in on cultivating pillar industries to spearhead local income growth and rural revitalisation. Capitalising on the abundant forest resources, significant diurnal temperature variation, and high humidity in the area, they have championed mushroom crops such as shiitake and black fungus, known for their minimal land use, high yield, and low labour demands, thereby carving out new  income avenues for the rural populace.

“In the past, shiitake cultivation, storage, and drying all relied on coal and firewood for heating, with manual efforts needed for temperature and humidity control.” reminisced Ji Pengzhen, a villager from Qingliangshu Village.

Over the years, State Grid Zhenping County Power Supply Company has been committed to upgrading rural power grids and advancing rural electrification by updating and modernising infrastructure in 14 administrative villages, including Santan and Laofengou, ensuring a 100% household electrification rate and universal access to power for villages. These efforts have markedly improved the reliability of local power supply, providing vital electrical support for poverty alleviation initiatives, its related local industries, and collective economic advancements in the village.

“This year, we have undertaken extensive rural electrification projects to further optimise grid infrastructure, advancing initiatives that promote the welfare and prosperity of local people. By supporting township projects for ‘all-electric greenhouses,’ we are enhancing the large-scale development of the edible mushroom industry and fully facilitating the rural revitalisation strategy,” explained Duan Haoran, head of the Erlong Power Service Station.

Adhering to the tenets of “rational structure, moderate advancement, and technological leadership,” State Grid Zhenping County Power Supply Company is persistently advancing rural electrification. It has systematically addressed issues of line and equipment overload and low voltage. By evaluating local industrial distribution, electricity consumption patterns, and load demands, priorities have been set to expedite grid enhancements, thereby improving electricity supply quality in rural regions. Simultaneously, they are proactive in executing the national Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality action plan, broadening the scope and scale of electric energy substitution in agriculture. Specialists conduct thorough assessments of agricultural bases, devising tailored electricity solutions based on individual user requirements, factoring in ventilation, temperature control, and irrigation. This strategy champions the development of “all-electric greenhouses,” while guiding farmers in using electric curtain machines and smart temperature control systems, thereby optimising energy efficiency in greenhouse production.

“Electrified production allows for the free control of temperature, high thermal conversion efficiency, and ensures uniform drying, effectively enhancing the quality of our dried mushrooms, while also greatly reducing labor costs and increasing production efficiency. In addition, we have introduced mushroom cold storage workshops, addressing the previously challenging issue of fresh mushroom storage. This year, it is anticipated that the average income for each of the 46 farming households in our village will reach 50,000 yuan,” remarked Zhang Peng, a grower from Zaiziying Village. Reports indicate that with the backing of steady and high-quality electricity, the local edible mushroom cultivation area has expanded to 192 bases spanning more than 4,000 mu (2,668 acres), with mushroom processing facilities and family workshops increasing to 726. The cultivation and processing of edible fungi have become a pillar industry for the area, driving sustained income growth and prosperity for local villagers.