Changshan county explores new methods of green cultivation

A polyculture of oil-tea camellia and chicken in the oil-tea camellia base in Changshan county helps local residents increase their incomes. [Photo by Wang Tao provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the oil-tea camellia base in Changshan county, Huang Zhiwang - dubbed as the "flying chicken commander" by local residents - reeled off his story about how he is making money.

In 2012, it was announced the county would be an oil-tea camellia base. Since then, Huang has transformed his business from the coal industry into a far greener one.

But soon a new problem appeared - every spring, weeds in his field of oil-tea camellia trees grew wildly, with some weeds even growing higher than the trees. Weeding the site cost him 600,000 yuan ($84,740).

The idea of raising chickens came to him. To his surprise, the chickens raised within the oil-tea camellia forest not only kept the insects and weeds in check, but also became popular farm products themselves.

"As for the breeding environment and feed at the base, as you see, the chickens taste really good," Huang said. "Full of calcium, this kind of chicken takes in all kinds of nutrient elements, which made the meat taste good and tender. "