The Chinese government has made efficient efforts to protect the country's largest wilding paddy field in Yulin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

 

Covering an area of 20.18 hectares, the paddy field was discovered in 2002 by agricultural scientists who confirmed that the weed, in local residents' eyes, is a rare species of wilding paddy.

 

The wilding paddy is of great value in the research and development of high-quality and productive rice seed that is able to fight against coldness, flooding, plant diseases and insect pests, according to the scientists.

 

The Guangxi autonomous regional government has set up a special protection zone covering the wilding paddy field and 16.7-hectare glacises surrounding the field.

 

Meanwhile, the region poured in investment to strengthen efforts in pollution-control near the field.

 

According to Li Jiayong, an official with local agricultural bureau, wilding paddy fields have been found in 137 cities and counties across China, among which there are 47 in Guangxi.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2006)