The local government began introducing cistanche deserticola in 2004, according to Ma. Since then, the cultivated cistanche deserticola technology has increased and enabled farmers to plant them in large areas. Right now the whole County has planted more than 220,000 mu saxauls.

"Farmers are very active in planting it, the average output value per mu is about 1,000 yuan (US$147.478)," he said, " if the farmers sold their cistanche deserticola to professional companies, they would earn more money."

Photo taken on July 16, 2010 shows cistanche deserticola, a precious medical material. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes it has strong effect in relaxing bowels and nourishing kidney. [CnDG by Jiao Meng]

Inner Mongolia Wangyedi Desert Cistanche Biological Co, Ltd., is a company focused on R&D and production of cistanche deserticola. Wei Jun, general manager of this company, showed his confidence in this emerging industry.

Cistanche deserticola drink developed by Inner Mongolia Wangyedi Desert Cistanche Biological Co, Ltd. [CnDG by Jiao Meng]

"Last year our sales revenue was about 11 million yuan (US$1.62226 million). This year we are investing 50 million yuan (US$ 7.37392 million) to establish an industrial park to further the processing of the raw material," he introduced.

"We are developing new products with the China Agricultural University to help fully unearth its value."

(China Development Gateway by Jiao Meng July 27, 2010)