The Lishui municipal regulations on the protection and development of the Qingtian rice-fish co-culture system came into effect on June 5. This marks a significant step forward in legally safeguarding the agricultural tradition.

The Qingtian rice-fish co-culture system, with a history spanning over 1,300 years in Qingtian county, Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province, was listed in the world's first group of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems designated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2005.

The new regulations, consisting of six chapters and 34 articles, clearly outline principles for protection, management, cultural preservation, industrial development, and legal responsibilities. They emphasize safeguarding traditional rice and fish genetic resources and promoting dynamic monitoring.

An area dedicated to the rice-fish co-culture system achieves high yields of both rice and fish in Qingtian county, Lishui. [Photo/Tide News]

Beyond its historical significance, the system offers a modern path to shared prosperity. The regulations also focus on protecting farmers' rights and expanding the rice-fish farming model. Qingtian has implemented a unified production and sales model, significantly boosting the price of rice-fish products.

In 2024, the area dedicated to this system reached 46.73 square kilometers, with rice and fish yields contributing to a total industry value of 340 million yuan ($47.31 million), reflecting an 11.84 percent year-on-year increase.