Writing by: Deputy Project Manager, Xiao Wei

In the golden September autumn, the rice fields of Groups 3 and 4 in Hejiaba Village are bustling with the heat of harvest, heavy rice ears bending the stalks. With daytime temperatures consistently above 35°C for nearly a month and a half making daytime work difficult, farmers took advantage of the cooler evenings to help each other harvest the rice, filling the fields with the joy of a bountiful harvest.

Hejiaba Village is located in the northwest of Sanyuan Town, Fengdu County, Chongqing, at an altitude of 300-800 meters. Villagers primarily cultivate Crisp Red Plums, Red Pomelos, radishes, rice, and corn as their main crops, traditionally using chemical fertilization methods. In 2024, based on preliminary needs assessments, HPP decided to implement the Farmers' Mutual Aid Group Project in Hejiaba Village. The project involves establishing farmers' mutual aid groups and core groups, distributing high-quality rice seeds to villagers for pilot ecological rice cultivation, introducing the "rice-duck farming" model; organizing training for villagers, establishing their own brand and a direct sales cooperative, and setting up an online marketing platform. These initiatives aim to help villagers develop suitable industries and boost economic income.

In September 2025, Hejiaba Village welcomed its first harvest using this innovative farming model.

I. From "Traditional Farming" to "Rice-Duck Coexistence"

       In the past, villagers in Hejiaba Village commonly used chemical fertilizers. While aiding yield increase, these had long-term adverse effects on the soil and posed health risks.Early this year, project staff from HPP selected some villagers in Hejiaba Village to introduce the new rice farming model.

        The ecological "rice-duck farming" technique promoted by the HPP project involves: ducks preying on pests and clearing weeds in the fields, their droppings naturally fermenting into fertilizer, creating a symbiotic cycle between rice and ducks. This achieves dual use of water and double harvest from the same field. This model not only reduces pesticide and fertilizer use, improves rice quality, but also increases household income from selling ducks.

      Mobilized by the project and local village committee officials, group leaders took the lead in joining the project and adopting the new farming model. Yu Shaobo, a farmer from Group 3, was one of them.

      "In January, I learned about HPP's innovative farming model. In February, I received free rice seeds for 15 mu, along with a subsidy for organic-inorganic compound fertilizer for 15 mu, and even received ducklings! A rough estimate shows this year's rice yield per mu can reach 850 jin, already exceeding last year's yield per mu." Yu Shaobo shuttled through the fields carrying heavy bundles of rice, his face full of smiles.

      Other villagers soon joined the new farming model after seeing the group leaders adopt it, and now every household is enjoying the smiles of harvest.

      "The rice-duck farming model is really good. It protects the environment, reduces harm to people, and even increases yield," a villager said while harvesting.

      The rice-duck model not only increased the yield per mu but also improved the quality of the rice. At a rice tasting event organized by the project, villagers unanimously agreed that the rice from the project-provided seeds had the best taste after maturation.

II. Unified Purchase and Sales: Fuller Pockets for Farmers

      How is the harvested rice converted into cash? Yu Shaobo mentioned: "As soon as the rice was harvested, the village cooperative contacted us proactively. Having the cooperative handle unified purchase and sales is much more profitable than dealing with individual buyers who used to come to our doors and bargain down the price!"

    Project staff actively communicated with the village cooperative to assist villagers in shifting from their previous self-production and self-sales approach to a unified purchase and sales system managed by the cooperative. This not only secured better prices but also expanded sales channels.

    "Previously, villagers had to transport rice by tricycle to the county town 55 kilometers away for sale, but sales were not ideal, with only about 30% typically sold," said project staff member Xiao Wei.

     In addition to unified purchase and sales, the project also collaborated with the cooperative to create a regional brand named "Shancengyan" for Hejiaba rice, inspired by the local terrain.

     "Look, the village even specially designed gift box packaging for our rice. It looks so exquisite, it's very presentable!" said villager Xiong Guanquan, proudly holding up the rice gift box.

       Currently, the high-mountain rice cultivation area in Hejiaba Village reaches 150 mu, with an output value of approximately 180,000 yuan. Rice has become a renowned local product for the village.

       The project team and the cooperative worked together, extending from rice sales to rice processing. Through unified packaging and branding, they ensured every jin of rice fetched a good price.

III. The Scent of Rice Drifts Far: Embarking on a New Journey of Revitalization

      From free seeds and fertilizer subsidies to brand building, the project team not only focused on solving the problems of "how to plant" and "how to harvest" but also successfully addressed the crucial link of "how to sell." Today, "Shancengyan" rice has become the village's signature product, not only increasing villagers' income but also helping Hejiaba Village take a solid step forward on the path of rural revitalization.

     Under the setting sun, farmers are busy harvesting rice. The laughter and chatter in the fields complement the green mountains in the distance. As the brand's influence grows, the "scent of rice" from this small mountain village is drifting along the broad road of rural revitalization towards farther horizons.

Project Introduction:

The Hejiaba  Farmers' Clubs Project in Fengdu County, Chongqing City is implemented by the Chongqing Representative Office of FAIHPP (Switzerland) and the Fengdu County Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Starting from December 1, 2024, the project cycle will take three years. Through the establishment of Farmers’ Clubs and core groups, the project will distribute high-quality rice seeds to villagers to carry out ecological rice pilots, plant fruit trees, raise free-land chicken, organize villagers' training, establish a direct selling cooperative with its own product brand, and build an Internet marketing platform, so as to help villagers develop appropriate productions and drive economic income growth. While fundamentally promoting rural development, the project also pays attention to improving of rural women's self-awareness, mobilizing women's enthusiasm, improving the household environment and promoting the construction of human eco-environment. At the same time, we should develop productions with women as the main force and encourage them to actively participate in the construction of family and rural production activities.

The article only represents the author's personal views.