A new model of intercropping lotus root with loach helps farmers start businesses and get rich

Yu Baifeng, 38 years old, transformed from a decoration worker into a farm owner and tried the new lotus root + loach planting model, which not only achieved good economic benefits but also improved the ecological environment, providing a new idea and a new model for farmers to start businesses and get rich.

"The lotus leaves stretching to the horizon are endlessly green, and the lotus flowers bathed in sunlight are especially red." These past few days, such a beautiful scene can be seen at Shanchun Family Farm in Yuanshan Natural Village, Sancun, Chongren Town. Looking out, the former farmland has become a beautiful picture. No one would have thought that the farm owner, Yu Baifeng, is a novice farmer.

Pursuing the dream of starting a business in ecological agriculture

Yu Baifeng worked away from home in painting for many years in his early years. Because he cherished a dream in the agricultural industry, he kept thinking about making a career in agriculture. As many rural young people go out to work or do business, most of those who stay in rural areas to farm are middle-aged and elderly people, and the traditional household farming has already restricted the development of agriculture. Developing ecological agriculture and taking the path of intensive management is a trend, and a series of encouraging policies issued by the state also inspired Yu Baifeng's dream of agricultural entrepreneurship.

In 2010, Yu Baifeng gave up the painting work he had done for many years and turned to farming loaches. But at first, loach farming was very difficult, and he went to other places to learn loach farming experience. After returning to his hometown, Yu Baifeng contracted 5 mu of land in Chongren Sancun and set up a family farm to try farming loaches. Because he did not understand the technology, the loach yield was very low at first, which made him very anxious. Only after consulting successful large-scale farmers did he understand that suitable water and soil are very important for loach farming.

Different trades are like different mountains. At the beginning, Yu Baifeng knew nothing about planting and farming techniques or agricultural policies, and starting a business was difficult. "If you do not know, learn more and ask more." He said that at first he only farmed loaches, but the returns were relatively slow. Later, Yu Baifeng learned online that loaches and lotus roots can be intercropped, which can not only purify the water quality but also promote the growth of lotus roots, achieving two goals at once.

Providing a new model for farmers to start businesses

With the idea of giving it a try, Yu Baifeng planted lotus roots in the pond he had contracted. Unexpectedly, two months later, the water quality improved and the lotus roots also grew very well. He said: "Farmyard manure releases microorganisms for the loaches to eat, and the loach droppings can nourish the growth of the lotus roots. At the same time, the loaches can also loosen the soil in the lotus pond, improve the soil, and purify the water quality, achieving two goals at once and reducing input. We never use chemical fertilizers on the lotus roots we grow; the lotus roots and loaches are all ecologically planted and farmed."

It is understood that when organic fertilizer is applied in the lotus pond, the organic fertilizer serves as fertilizer for the lotus roots, and the benthic organisms it produces also provide rich bait for the loaches. The lotus leaves play a shading role, avoiding excessively high water temperature to keep water quality stable and provide a good environment for loach growth; the loaches loosen the soil to promote lotus root growth, and their droppings serve as fertilizer for the lotus roots. The two are organically combined for mutual benefit.

From initially exploring loach farming technology to developing mixed farming of lotus roots and loaches, the planting scale has also grown from the initial 5 mu to more than 40 mu now, with successive investment of more than 1 million yuan. Yu Baifeng tasted the benefits of developing ecological farming and began to continuously explore new planting and farming models. A few days ago, he also put crucian carp fry into his lotus pond. He said: "Mixed farming of crucian carp and loaches can continuously provide nutrients for the lotus roots and also improve the economic benefits of the lotus pond."

Taking repaying society as his own responsibility

Now, Yu Baifeng's mixed planting and farming of lotus roots and loaches has become somewhat well known locally. Every midsummer, dozens of mu of lotus ponds bloom in competition and attract many photography enthusiasts to take pictures. He said: "His project has been designated as an ecological demonstration project for co-farming aquatic vegetables and loaches, and he hopes to drive more villagers to plant together with us, expand the local planting scale, and jointly make the ecological planting and farming industry bigger."

Yu Baifeng's exploration of ecological farming has only just begun, but the returns are encouraging, which also fills him with expectations for the lotus roots and loaches he plants and farms. He said: "Although the current lotus root and loach model has achieved success, many operating procedures and technical controls are still unclear. I hope to receive more technical guidance and support, fix the operating procedures and technical methods, and achieve the effect of promoting planting."

"A good model brings good development." Yu Baifeng is firmly convinced of people's preference for green ecological food. At present, he is not worried about the sales of the lotus roots and loaches he plants and farms. He told the reporter: "Next, he wants to apply for pollution-free base certification for the farm. In the future, he hopes to register a trademark and continuously promote his green ecological lotus roots, loaches, and crucian carp, making them a green brand recognized by everyone."

"I never thought about becoming any kind of farm owner. I just wanted to do something beneficial for society while realizing my own value in life." When talking about future development ideas, Yu Baifeng said that in the next step he will make the farm a carrier for developing ecological circular agriculture, take repaying society as his own responsibility, and lead the local people onto the road of common prosperity.