Yulin's rice-fish farming wins national recognition

A crab bred by rice-fish farming in Yulin. [Photo/Yulin Daily]

Hengshan district in Yulin has been honored as one of 30 national exemplary cases in aquatic technology promotion, thanks to its innovative rice-fish farming system.

This model combines technological advancements with industrial integration, paving the way for a modern agricultural development path characterized by dual harvests from a single field and ecological sustainability.

Since introducing river crab rice field farming technology in 2012, Hengshan has expanded to over 50,000 mu (3,333 hectares) of integrated rice-fish farming, resulting in the establishment of the first national-level rice-fish integrated farming demonstration zone in Shaanxi province.

The district employs a unique crab nursery technique that eliminates the need for ditches, resulting in an impressive annual yield of over 500,000 kilograms of juvenile crabs and 125,000 kilograms of market-ready crabs.

Hengshan has also developed the regional public brand "Northern Shaanxi Hengshan Rice Crab" and secured certification for its organic crab field rice, creating a synergistic farming and tourism chain.

This initiative reduces agricultural non-point source pollution and enhances land utilization, offering a replicable model for ecological restoration and rural vitalization across the Yellow River Basin.

Rice-fish fields in Yulin. [Photo/Yulin Daily]