On December 12, 2024, the expert team led by Yi Junjie from Kunming University of Science and Technology visited Yunnan Zhongmu Agricultural and Forestry Development Co., Ltd. for guidance, communication, and cooperation. This exchange and cooperation focused on the construction of the Sakamon Devahastin Academician Workstation in Yunnan Province and the Yi Junjie Expert Workstation in Wenshan Prefecture, as well as in-depth discussions on future cooperation between the two parties.
Through field investigations, it was found that the star anise trees in Funing are severely affected by scale insects, anthracnose, gray mold, and gummosis, and some star anise trees exhibit mistletoe phenomena. Professor Wu Jianrong explained in detail the causes, harmful characteristics, and key points for prevention and control. It was pointed out that preventing diseases and pests in star anise should start from the source, adopting joint prevention and control measures. On one hand, attention should be paid to soil improvement and scientific fertilization to enhance the trees' own resistance. On the other hand, field management should be strengthened, with timely removal of diseased branches, leaves, and weeds to reduce the breeding environment for pests and diseases. Effective prevention and control measures should be taken at the early stages of pest and disease occurrence.
Recently, Professor Wu Jianrong's team from Southwest Forestry University conducted a detailed investigation and provided technical guidance on the cultivation management and pest control of star anise in Funing.
Investment attraction seeks development, cooperation and win-win create a new chapter. On March 1, the China Funing Star Anise Industry High-Quality Development Seminar and Star Anise Product Promotion Conference was held in Funing. Representatives from four research institutions, including the Kunming Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Spice and Beverage Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, and Weikang Biotechnology, along with 46 enterprises from across the country, gathered in Funing to share development opportunities and jointly plan for the high-quality development of the star anise industry.
Recently, Professor Sakamon Devahastin from the Department of Food Engineering at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi visited Yunnan Zhongmu Agricultural and Forestry Development Co., Ltd. to investigate the issues related to star anise drying technology and potential collaboration. He was accompanied by Professor Guo Chaofan from Kunming University of Science and Technology and the company's chairman Huang Qingbo.
During the research period, Fengming and his team visited the breeding and seed collection base for the high-quality variety of star anise at Sanyashu, the green agricultural product processing park in Naxie, Funing County. They conducted on-site visits to the natural drying area for star anise, production workshops, and gained detailed insights into the propagation of seedling and grafted seedlings, the prevention and control of major pests and diseases of star anise, the characteristics of century-old tree varieties, technical research, sales channels, and the company's development. They fully affirmed the company's development prospects.