Fish fertilizer makes life sweeter for orange growers

CHENGDU — China's largest blood orange production base, Zizhong county in Neijiang, Sichuan province, is now focusing on elevating its position in the value chain and adopting more eco-friendly cultivation practices.

The Zizhong blood orange is a standout brand, said entrepreneur Li Dagang, one of many locals who have returned to the area thanks to the local government's efforts to revitalize the blood orange industry.

The county has been venturing into innovative practices that integrate blood orange cultivation with fish farming. Stepping into an integrated cultivation demonstration zone, tucked away in a hilly countryside area, visitors are greeted by expansive, circular pools at the foot of the hills. The pools house various fish species, including catfish and perch, and the hill slopes are covered with blood orange trees.