Farmers plant Rehmannia glutinosa libosch, a Chinese herbal medicine, in Xiaxian county, Shanxi province. [Photo by Yao Zhongji for chinadaily.com.cn]

Farmers were busy recently planting herbal medicine Rehmannia glutinosa libosch – or dihuang in Chinese – on farmland in the villages of Luotuowan and Sanxianzhuang in Shuitou township of Xiaxian county, Shanxi province.

After a careful investigation several years ago, resident Gao Feng of Changcun village introduced the plant to the town. He believed it would be a good choice to help local farmers increase their incomes.

It is expected to achieve a profit of around 15,000 yuan ($21,868) per hectare after the autumn harvest.