Urbanites in thrall to a growing passion

Coexistence

In Wang's vegetable shed, the natural ecosystem ensures the harvest is healthy and no outside intervention is necessary.

"I have observed that the grass that coexists with the crops functions as a regulatory factor for the microclimate by keeping the soil moist," he said.

Also, a native species of spider that weaves webs among the vegetables feeds on minuscule whiteflies that are usually hard to detect, thus preventing the need for harmful insecticides.

Having learned about the latest farming models in Japan, Germany and Israel, Wang has also turned to ancient Chinese agricultural traditions to find inspiration to better coordinate human activities with nature.

At a Farmers' Assembly at China Agricultural University last month, Meng Fanqiao, a professor at the university's College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, said organic/ecological farming is an important measure to improve the quality and safety of agricultural produce.

"Organic/ecological farming is of vital significance for economic development as well as environmental protection in rural areas. It should play a leading role in China's rural revitalization and the building of an 'ecological civilization'," Meng said.

Ma Xiaochao, a project officer with Know Your Food, a community group that focuses on food sustainability, said, "We hope to promote healthy eating as a mainstream choice, along with organic ways of producing healthy foods."

Jin Shuqin, from the Research Center for the Rural Economy at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said: "The green development of the countryside is a strategy that goes hand-in-hand with food security and higher incomes. Revitalizing the environment is a crucial aspect of overall rural rejuvenation."