Longgang Pioneers Green Development with Rice-Shrimp Co-Cultivation

In recent years, Longgang City in Wenzhou has adhered to the philosophy of green development by actively promoting a rice-shrimp integrated farming model. Through this"one water, dual use; one field, dual harvest" ecological cycle, Longgang is paving a new path towards shared prosperity and sustainable agriculture.

Large agricultural drone. Photograph provided by Longgang converged media

At Fangchengpu Community’s rice-shrimp co-cultivation demonstration base, the water shimmers under the sun as lively shrimp fry dart about. With a roar, a large agricultural drone ascends into the sky, flying steadily above the water surface to evenly distribute feed. The base feeds over 100 acres of shrimp fry twice daily. Currently, the second batch of shrimp fry is thriving well, expected to be ready for harvest in approximately 45 days.

"In the first breeding cycle, we achieved an average yield of 200 pounds per acre, with the shrimp praised for their fresh and firm texture," explained Cai Jingling, the base's manager. During the initial market release right after the Lunar New Year, the first batch of crayfish hit the market successfully, reaching prices up to 60 yuan per pound. Anticipation is even higher for the upcoming second batch, which promises larger sizes and superior quality.

The base employs a"one season of rice, two seasons of shrimp" rotation model, achieving a staggered growth cycle where shrimp and rice coexist beneficially. In this system, crayfish move through shallow waters in the rice paddies, loosening the soil, removing weeds, and reducing pests, leading to high-quality rice and shrimp. This not only ensures food safety but also significantly improves land utilization."Traditional grain farming yields around 700 yuan per acre, whereas our shrimp farming can earn between 1,400 to 1,500 yuan per acre," Cai calculated. Additionally, the base provides local employment opportunities, enabling nearby residents to increase their income without leaving their hometowns.

Over the past few years, Longgang City has further developed its"rice-shrimp co-cultivation" project. By 2024, the city had expanded its rice-shrimp co-cultivation area to 1,005 acres, producing 164 tons of crayfish with a total value of 6.56 million yuan. The optimized ecosystem of rice-shrimp coexistence has continuously improved farming efficiency and product quality, driving sustainable agricultural development in Longgang.（Liu Qun）