As autumn begins, mugwort plants are thriving in the mugwort planting and processing base in Luyang Town, Zhongfang County, Huaihua. On the drying field, freshly-cut mugwort leaves are spread out to dry. In the intelligent drying workshop, machines run at full capacity as workers speed up sorting, processing, and warehousing the mugwort products, fulfilling orders bound for Southeast Asia.

This year, continuous rainfalls have posed considerable challenges to mugwort harvesting. To minimize the impact, Zhongfang County proactively coordinated with processing companies, stepping up harvesting in sunny days and using intelligent drying facilities as a substitute for conventional air-drying. "We reap mugwort during rain-free intervals and ted the leaves frequently, or extract essential oil directly from fresh leaves. Besides, we have introduced new drying facilities," said Zeng Fanding, head of the Wuling Mugwort Industry Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a local leading enterprise. He added that the company has already stored 100 to 200 tonnes of mugwort leaves and the output of essential oil is expected to reach one to two tonnes this year.

Zhongfang County is located deep in the Wuling Mountains, with a mild, humid climate and selenium-enriched soil. The "Wuling Mugwort" cultivated there boasts high levels of active ingredients, potent medicinal properties, and a rich fragrance. Leveraging these natural advantages, the county authority has prioritized the "Wuling Mugwort" industry as a key pillar for rural revitalization, continuously expanding the industrial chain. Currently, the county has a standardized planting area exceeding 8,000 mu (approximately 530 hectares), and has developed over 10 categories of wellness products, including mugwort sticks, foot bath bags, essential oil, mosquito repellent, and household textiles.

Leveraging the cross-border logistics advantages of the Huaihua International Land Port, the county's foreign trade logistics channels have been further facilitated. This has resulted in a remarkable rise in transport efficiency and a continuous reduction in costs, providing a solid foundation for "Wuling Mugwort" to reach beyond the mountains. "The company aims to achieve about 30 million CNY in exports this year, with its products sold to Southeast Asian countries including Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia," Zeng Fanding said.

The local farmers have increasingly benefited from the dividends of industrial development. According to a local agricultural and rural affairs official, Zhongfang County has rolled out a benefit-sharing model that connects leading enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers, providing standardized mugwort seedlings and technical guidance while setting a minimum price to guarantee mugwort purchases. This model has encouraged more than 1,200 households to take up mugwort farming and provided jobs close to home for over 1,200 rural laborers. As the industrial chain keeps improving and the market expands, the county's total industrial chain output value is expected to surpass 60 million CNY in 2026.