448 Modern Agricultural Reforms
working office were established; (2) experimental sites were selected according to
area and on the basis of scientific, technical and related decision making; (3)
improving the plan and putting it into effect as a general development plan; (4)
mobilizing farmers’ participation and creating different ecoagricultural models
suitable for prevailing conditions; (5) monitoring the development process and
spreading successful experiences; and (6) signing contracts between governments,
technicians and farmers.
After nine years’ of construction and development in this county, forest cover-
age has risen, eco-environmental conditions have improved, economic growth has
accelerated, and the county has become a model in ecoagricultural construction in
China.
Major models of ecoagriculture
In order to use local natural resources and improve ecological and economic develop-
ment, many ecoagricultural models have been created and practised: paddy rice,
dryland forest, orchard, and pond/reservoir constitute the major types and there are
many extensive models developed for different natural and social conditions.
- Paddy rice–fish model
In the total area of 480,000 mu of cultivated fields, 160,000 mu have been devel-
oped in this model as: rice–mulberry–fish, rice–rice–fish, and rice–duck–fish mod-
els, occupying about 70,000, 12,000 and 1000 mu, respectively (Figures 18.8,
18.9 and 18.10). - Paddy rice-vegetables-vegetables/strawberries model
At present, this model occupies about 2000 mu of crop fields. It can create relatively
high profits but inclusion of fresh strawberries means that it is only suitable for areas
with convenient transportation and irrigation, close to markets (Figure 18.11).
Figure 18.8 The model for a rice–mulberry–fish ecosystem