Aquaculture paves new path for rural development in Kaiyang

In recent years, Miping township in Kaiyang county, Guiyang, has been developing characteristic industries according to its local advantages in an effort to drive growth.

The township receives 1,130 millimeters of rainfall annually, boasts selenium-rich soil with selenium content twice the national average, and has over 10 karst caves of various sizes within its jurisdiction. It also has mountains and waters that align with the natural habits of giant salamanders, making the township an excellent site for developing giant salamander farming.

To date, Kaiyang Xiangshuidong Breeding Co, based in Miping township, has built 125 karst cave-based giant salamander breeding pools covering a total area of 300 square meters. It houses over 1,000 giant salamanders, with annual production exceeding 3,000 kilograms and output at around 300,000 yuan ($41,250).

"When I started developing giant salamander farming, staff from the local agriculture department frequently visited the farm to assist with the approval process. They explained policies in detail and encouraged me to attend training sessions at the county and city levels, which greatly boosted my confidence in developing this industry!" said the farm owner.

In addition to breeding the giant salamander, Xiangshuidong Breeding Co also cultivates species like sturgeon, shifting away from traditional, single-mode farming. This approach continuously drives the transition of aquaculture in Miping township toward greater scale and sustainability.