(Rural Travel·Looking at Revitalization) Langxi, Anhui- Selenium-rich rice blooms, and the -rice- cannot satisfy the joy of harvest

As the rice harvesting season unfolds in Anhui Province, the fields in Langxi County, Xuancheng City, are alive with activity as farmers reap the fruits of their labor. The golden rice ears bend under their weight, resembling rows of gleaming pearls swaying in the breeze, creating a bustling scene in the fields.

At the selenium-rich rice base in Taoyuan Village, Meizhu Town, harvesting machines are working tirelessly. The roar of machinery fills the air as layers of rice are pulled in, seamlessly progressing through cutting, threshing, cleaning, and straw breaking. Within moments, heavy rice ears transform into shining grains, leading to smiles among the farmers who are delighted with their first harvest of selenium-rich rice this season.

“I have over 260 acres of land, and this year I decided to plant 55 acres of selenium-rich rice as a trial,” says farmer Rui Bajin, brimming with excitement about this new venture.

The introduction of selenium-rich rice has not only revitalized the local industry but also enhanced the prosperity of the villagers. Given its higher market price, the economic outlook is promising.

“The yield this year is outstanding, with about 1,100 pounds per acre! If this continues, I plan to convert all my fields to selenium-rich rice next year. This could bring in over 300,000 yuan annually,” remarks farmer Chen Xiaoyang.

Langxi County boasts rich and well-distributed selenium soil resources, creating an ideal environment for the large-scale development of the selenium-rich industry. To promote standardized and industrialized production, Meizhu Town has pioneered the planting of selenium-rich rice this year.

“In Taoyuan Village, we’ve designated 1,979 acres for pilot cultivation of selenium-rich rice, which is now in the harvest phase. We are exceeding our expectations in both yield and quality, averaging 1,100 pounds per acre,” explains Xu Chenghui, deputy director of the Taoyuan Village Committee. To support farmers, the village has provided comprehensive assistance for everything from seeds and fertilizers to pest control, even bringing in experts for on-site technical guidance. With a commitment to pay 10% above market rates for their crops, the villagers are seeing positive results, significantly boosting their confidence in cultivating selenium-rich rice. Looking ahead, plans are in place to expand the cultivation area and integrate more modern agricultural techniques and management practices to enhance rice quality and yield, ultimately establishing selenium-rich rice as a signature product of Taoyuan Village.

In recent years, Langxi County has leveraged its quality natural resources to make selenium-rich rice a focal point of its collective prosperity efforts, extending the “selenium+” industrial chain and driving the transformation and upgrading of its agricultural sector.