Baijiao Sea Bass village nat'l model for single product

Doumen District's Zhaoxin Village, where Baijiao Sea Bass farming originated, is now a national model demonstrating the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs' One Village One Product strategy.

The honor confirms the Zhuhai village's exceptional sea bass cultivation skills. It is one of 300 villages and towns -- six of them from Guangdong Province -- recently designated as models for their mastery of a single product.

Baijiao Sea Bass is a local specialty known for exquisite taste and health benefits. It is a National Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product that last September was named one of Top 100 Regional Agricultural Product Public Brands in China.

Baijiao Sea Bass harvest [Photo courtesy Southern Metropolis Daily]

Zhaoxin Village produces more than 70 percent of the country's total output in a breeding area of over 4,100 mu (675 acres). The village yielded revenue of 338 million yuan ($52.9 million) last year, bringing it a step closer to a further designation as a demonstration village of modern agriculture.

Shilong Village in Lianzhou Town earned that title in 2015. More than 300 farmers tended flowers and plants for nursery stock on a planting area of 1,520 mu (250 acres), making per-capita income among the highest of the town. The surrounding villages joined with them to forge a large production base covering more than 10,000 mu (2.6 sq mile).

China launched the One Village One Product campaign to promote agriculture. Farmers selectively produce goods with high added value. A village produces one competitive and staple product to earn sales revenue to improve the standard of living of its residents.