Two Oriental white storks forage for food in the organic rice plantation in Dazou town. [Photo/Xuexi Qiangguo app]
After Start of Autumn, the 13th solar term of the year, which began this year on Aug 7, green rice leaves were seen rustling in the wind at the organic rice plantation in Dazou town, located in Xinghua city, East China's Jiangsu province.
Two Oriental white storks, listed as national first-class protected animals in China, were even spotted leisurely hunting for food there.
The protected birds often wade through swamps, wetlands and ponds in search of sustenance and have high requirements for their living environment.
To control the growth of weeds, farmhands let ducks into a paddy field for free-range farming. [Photo/Xuexi Qiangguo app]
Since the start of the year, Dazou town has been exploring and promoting the development of an entire organic rice industry supply chain, achieving the transformation of rice from green planting to organic planting.
In line with the requirements in organic rice planting standards, the town is steadily advancing various tasks. These include organizing the cultivation of seedlings in late May and arranging machines for the transplanting of rice seedlings in late June.
Through organic cultivation, the plantation has established a small and high-quality natural ecological environment, attracting Oriental white storks to nest, settle and reproduce there.