In Panzhihua, Sichuan Province, Li Wei traded his fishing nets for mango saplings in a bold eco-pivot transforming lives and landscapes. For years, cage fish farming dominated the Yangtze River's upper reaches, providing steady income but leaving water pollution and biodiversity loss in its wake.
'We didn't realize the cost until algae blooms appeared,' Li told myglobalnews.net. 'The river that fed us was dying.'
Local authorities intervened, offering farmers subsidies and agricultural training to cultivate mangoes β a crop perfectly suited to Panzhihua's sunny slopes. Today, over 2,000 hectares of former fish farms bloom with golden fruit, yielding $15 million in annual sales through e-commerce platforms.
The switch has reduced nitrogen runoff by 78% in demonstration zones while creating year-round jobs for rural women and youth. With China's Yangtze protection laws gaining momentum, Li's story offers a blueprint for balancing ecology and economy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
