Jiuquan's specialty industries are thriving as technology drives innovation and boosts the local economy. 

By applying modern techniques and optimizing production chains, the city's edible mushroom and goji berry sectors are growing rapidly, serving as a model of ecological prosperity.

At the Gansu Jiuquan Edible Mushroom Technology Center in Xidong town, Suzhou district, the warm, humid greenhouses are filled with the fresh scent of mushrooms. Farmer Ren Hongyan said five greenhouses generates roughly 25,000 yuan ($3,550) annually, thanks to the technical support.

Qin Zhijun, head of the center, said the facility covers around 1,700 mu (113 hectares), consisting entirely of greenhouses. Focusing on technology-driven growth, the center integrates production, research, and application, promoting standardized and large-scale mushroom farming. Fifteen high-standard greenhouses cultivate specialty mushrooms such as morels and matsutake. 

A network of experts supports this industrial upgrade. Partnering with Northwest Normal University, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and other research institutions, the center has introduced eight advanced techniques and developed three locally adapted cultivation methods, raising product qualification rates from 85 percent to over 98 percent.

Training programs address local skill gaps, combining theory, hands-on practice, and follow-up guidance. More than 42 training sessions and 60 field visits have helped over 800 farmers learn how to operate smart equipment and carry out green pest control. Currently, over 300 households are engaged in mushroom farming, with incomes increasing by more than 25,000 yuan on average per year.

The goji berry industry has similarly transformed local economies and landscapes. Jiuquan's goji cultivation covers 303,100 mu, producing 80,000 metric tons annually with a total output value exceeding 3 billion yuan, benefiting 97,000 residents and creating a sustainable path for rural development in the Gobi region.