Students take an educational trip to Fangshan township to learn about its renowned rice-fish cultivation system. [Photo/WeChat account: wxlishui]

The 2022 International Conference on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems was held in Qingtian county – administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province – on July 17-19.

The event not only brought guests and tourists from all over the world, but also brought commercial opportunities to local farmers and businesses in Fangshan township. Tourism directly related to the local agricultural heritage – the renowned rice-fish cultivation system – became a hit with the new arrivals.

The system has fed local people for more than 1,000 years. The fish are raised in rice paddies – saving space and labor – so that the farmers can produce more crops and fish, while the rice plants also provide shade and bait for the fish.

More than 20,000 people were drawn to Fangshan township on July 20-24, where the conference took place – an increase of hundreds of times compared with ordinary days.

The town's Fangshangu agricultural heritage study camp now receives about 300 guests a day. The camp and nearby agritainment facilities are doing brisk business, according to Yang Xiao'ai, head of the camp.

Based on the rice-fish cultivation system, Fangshan town is planning to develop more tourist products to better promote the agricultural heritage, as well as to increase the incomes of farmers.