Chinese soft-shell turtles are being raised in the paddy fields of Songyang county. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

Chinese soft-shell turtles raised in paddy fields are expected to bring more income to local farmers in Songyang county, which is administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province.

The Changfu Family Farm in Shanghe village in Songyang, which is a demonstration base for the ecological planting of rice and soft-shell turtles co-cultivation, covers an area of 4 hectares.

According to He Changfu, who is in charge of the family farm, each hectare of field can raise 1,500 to 3,000 soft-shell turtles, which can add an income per hectare of up to 105,000 yuan ($15,330) to 120,000 yuan.

Under the rice and soft-shell turtle co-cultivation system, the rice fields provide food and a habitat for the turtles. In return, the movements of the turtles loosens the farmland soil, preventing the reproduction of pests. Their excretions also provide nutrition for the growth of the rice crop.

This efficient and sustainable cultivation mode will be promoted to more local farms in the future, according to county officials.