In the springtime in Bomi County, Xizang, China, a faint herbal fragrance fills the mountain forests. At the Tianma (Gastrodia) understorydemonstration base in Zhamog Town, local villagers are busy harvesting Tianma. "In the past, we lived off the mountains; now we live off the 'forests.' Our lives are getting better and better," said Pema Chosphel, a villager working in the fields, with a smile.

Zhamog Town in Bomi County boasts globally rare wild Tibetan Tianma germplasm resources. The town's base has collected and preserved 202 wild Tianma germplasm samples originating from Xizang. Relying on this, Zhamog Town introduced the leading enterprise—Xizang Bomi Highland Tibetan Tianma Industry Development Co., Ltd.—and embarked on the path of developing the Tianma industry.

"Tianma grow in primeval forests and are of superior quality," introduced Dong Bin, Deputy General Manager of the company. In 2025, the Tianma cultivation area in Bomi County reached 2,900 mu (about 191 hectares), with fresh Tianma output reaching 300,000 jin (150,000 kg) that year, ranking first in the entire area.

Entering into the Tianma processing workshop, workers are sorting, washing, and slicing fresh Tianma. "The company has now introduced Tianma processing and cold storage facilities to ensure product quality and timely supply," introduced Liu Dunqiang, another Deputy General Manager of the company.

In 2025, the comprehensive output value of Bomi Tianma's tertiary industry reached 87 million yuan(RMB), with sales revenue of 30 million yuan(RMB). Sales revenue from deep-processed products, such as Tianma tablets and Tianma liquor, reached 7.58 million yuan(RMB), significantly enhancing the added value of the products.

With continuously increasing brand awareness and market recognition, Tianma is on the verge of a magnificent transformation from a "local specialty" to a "golden brand."

"A hoe in one hand, harvesting Tianma with the other—this experience is fantastic!" said Mr. Li, a tourist from Guangdong Province, excitedly.

Last year, Zhamog Town innovatively launched a "knowledge lecture + on-site observation+understory harvesting" Tianma cultural tourism, study, and research tour model, receiving 3,500 tourists. The organized Tianma Harvesting Festival also attracted many tourists to come and experience it. "We need to sell not only products but also experiences and culture," said Zhao Xuanhe, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Mayor of Zhamog Town. Through the mechanism of joint farmer mobilization led by "leading enterprises + professional cooperatives + family farms," over 500 farmer households from 36 administrative villages across 7 townships in the county have been involved in Tianma cultivation, with an average income increase of 12,000 yuan(RMB) per household, cumulatively generating 23 million yuan(RMB) in income for the local people.

"Working here, I can earn over 100,000 yuan(RMB) a year and still take care of my family," said Pema Chosphel.

In 2025, Bomi's Tianma industrywon the High-Quality Selection Award for Industrial Revitalization Empowerment Solutions at the Rural Revitalization Empowerment Plan awards and was included as atypical in the "China Agriculture Chronicle," propelling Bomi Tianma onto the national stage. "We will continue to deepen the entire industry chain development of 'research + cultivation + processing + cultural tourism,' allowing more people to benefit from the industry's development," Zhao Xuanhe introduced.

Reporter: Li Meiying

Translator:Zheng Yujie, Liu Fang

Review:Hu Rongguo, Drakpa Wangchen