An aquatic farming area in Zhenlai, Baicheng, Jilin province. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

Baicheng in Jilin province is turning saline-alkali land into a source of ecological and economic growth through aquaculture and rice-fish farming.

In 2025, the city's aquatic product output reached 63,100 metric tons, up 9.64 percent year on year, while output value rose 11.4 percent to 1.22 billion yuan ($170.8 million).

Zhenlai county has been at the forefront of this transformation. Six years ago, Anhui native Ge Jun moved his family to Zhenlai to raise crayfish and crabs on saline-alkali land. After four years of trials with researchers from Jilin Agricultural University, the Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, they developed key technologies for northern crayfish farming, with survival rates now exceeding 90 percent.

Researchers have also developed integrated rice-crab farming systems that improve soil quality while generating additional income. In Zhenlai, aquatic farming areas cover 515,000 mu (34,334 hectares), while rice-fish farming expanded to 180,000 mu in 2026.

Crayfish in Zhenlai. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The model is also flourishing in Da'an, where rice-crab farming has become a growing industry.

On Aug 22, Changchun launched the Zhenlai Crayfish and Zhenlai Crab regional public brands. A new Zhenlai Shrimp and Crab Industry Research Institute was also established to advance breeding, ecological farming, disease prevention, and industrial cooperation.

Together, these efforts are turning ecological restoration into a new engine for rural vitalization.