Tibetans find new jobs as fungus fades
Print Edition
THE growing rarity of a caterpillar fungus has meant some Tibetans in west China have lost a former steady source of income.
According to local folklore, the fungus, which is found only at high-altitude known and whose Chinese name translates as “winter-worm summer-grass,” helps fight cancer and boosts the immune system.
Once a cash cow for some Tibetans, over-exploitation has meant that the fungus is now hard to find.
Tsering Drolma from Aba County in southwest China’s Sichuan Province recently took a job at a mushroom farm near her home. Her husband is learning to build greenhouses at the same farm.
The fungus had been a major source of income for the couple. May and June were the best season, when they earned 40,000 yuan (US$6,200). Now she earns 140 yuan a day.
In Tsering Drolma’s neighborhood, farms have been built to create jobs.
“We have more choices other than looking for the ‘grass’ in the mountains,” she said.
The new jobs pay less, but they bring stability and a year-round income.
“I’d like a stable job so I can settle down,” said Yeshe, 39, now a farm driver.
Mushrooms grown on the high plateau area are and highly prized.
“Our mushrooms ripen later than those from lower altitude farms, so we can guarantee they are sold at a premium,” said Li Bo, an ccountant at the Minxing Mushroom Co.
The company has hired 140 people and has plans to expand. It provides spores and training for farmers who want to set up their own business.
In order to protect the plateau and help farmers increase their earnings, the Aba government has plans for businesses in high-altitude vegetable farming, yak and Tibetan pig raising. More than 60 farms are planned to open this year.
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