Experts learn about the rice-fish co-culture system in Qingtian county. [Photo/Tide News]

A group of experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, of the United Nations visited Qingtian county in Lishui city, Zhejiang province, on Oct 25.

They were there to learn from the special rice-fish co-culture system, a traditional and sustainable farming practice that has been recognized as a globally important example of agricultural cultural heritage.

The group consisted of 23 trainees from 14 countries and regions – including Tanzania, Madagascar and the Philippines – who were attending the FAO Aquaculture Park Construction and Operation Training Workshop in China.

They first visited the Qingtian Rice-Fish Co-culture System Museum, where they were introduced to the history, evolution and brand building of the rice-fish farming system, which combines rice and fish cultivation in the same fields.

The experts said the system is said to be a valuable cultural heritage model of ecological agriculture that reduces the use of chemicals, increases biodiversity and achieves mutual benefits for both rice and fish.

They also visited Longxian village, a core protection area of the heritage and Qingtian Yugong Agricultural Technology Co Ltd, a leading company in the rice-fish industry. They went to learn about the development concepts, management models and experiences of modern aquaculture parks in China.