[Explanation] Koi symbolizes longevity, wealth, and good luck. In recent years, it has gradually become popular in the Chinese ornamental fish circle. During the Spring Festival, Koi became a best-selling product. Li Yi, a villager in Wenlin Village, Longyou County, Quzhou, Zhejiang, returned to his hometown to start his own business. He has been breeding koi for more than 10 years, and he is very busy during the New Year.
[Concurrent] (Koi Farmer Li Yi)
It can be said that in recent time our sales or sales volume has doubled several times in normal times. Some time ago we were really too late to come, and we were very busy all day long.
[Explanation] Koi is a high-end ornamental fish that is popular today. It has the reputation of "live gems in water" and "artwork that can swim".
Li Yi told reporters that he had paid close attention to the ornamental fish market when he was studying and working in Hangzhou. He was even more optimistic about this industry when he returned home to start a business due to family reasons.
He said that there are three main factors in the process of koi breeding and breeding: fish breeding, water quality, feed and breeding technology, combined with the natural endowment of the village, he hopes to improve the appearance of the village, attract more villagers to raise koi, thereby increasing their Income.
[Concurrent] (Koi Farmer Li Yi)
The most important thing in our village is that the water system is particularly developed and the surrounding environment is also very good. There are mountains, water, farmland and ponds. Therefore, based on the reality of the village, we plan to integrate the koi carp into the whole village and share it with our villagers’ courtyards. In combination, it improves the overall environment and at the same time (attracts) the villagers to use koi (breeding) to increase their income.
Koi is eliminated one after another through selection, and then the really good fish, we will leave it to grow up and develop fine products, then the value of this fish is more expensive, so it can be retained to more than 60 to 80 cm Fish, the market price still ranges from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, and even some rare fish can be sold for hundreds of thousands.
[Explanation] It is understood that currently, the largest producer of koi is Japan, which has the most mature breeding technology and equipment, and has a large number of high-quality, pure-blooded koi, sought after by fans from all over the world.
Li Yi said that in recent decades, China's koi breeding industry has developed rapidly. Although there is still a certain gap with Japan, he hopes that through everyone's efforts, koi racial resources with Chinese characteristics can be cultivated and laid a foundation for the development of Chinese koi.
[Concurrent] (Koi Farmer Li Yi)
So from the current point of view, the development level of domestic (koi) and the technological improvement of breeding are very rapid. Through a short period of 30 to 40 years, it can be said that the small-sized koi is comparable to Japanese koi. The gap between carp is not very big anymore, (but) we still have a lot of things to study and learn in terms of breeding technology, feed, and water quality control, and also in the seedlings (Japan) It has an advantage, because its best breeding fish is definitely to stay in Japan, so we are constantly working hard to form our own ethnic resources with Chinese characteristics through our own selection and cultivation, and then we will contribute to the future of our Chinese Koi. Development has laid a very good foundation.
[Explanation] Today, Li Yi has a house, a car, married a wife and children, has healthy parents and a stable career.
In 2015, based on the breeding industry, he built the Koi Cultural Expo Park, integrating ecology, production, tourism and leisure.
But he still has a dream as a professional koi farming practitioner.
[Concurrent] (Koi Farmer Li Yi)
I think the most important thing for us as a professional industry is how to find ways to improve the quality of Koi. Our goal must be in line with Japan, and we even have the confidence to surpass it.
Therefore, we are also actively cooperating with some domestic experts, scholars and some scientific researchers in doing some relatively forward-looking research.
I think through the efforts of our researchers and the common practice of our industry, I think China's koi will develop better and better.
[Explanation] Due to the improvement of the village appearance in recent years, Wenlin Village now has a new look than before. The reporter looked around Wenlin Village and found that many villagers have built ponds in their homes to keep ornamental koi.
Looking at the more and more beautiful hometown, Li Yi's vision is to build a village with koi cultural characteristics, realize that every family has a courtyard, and every household can raise koi, so that koi can really drive people to get rich.
[Concurrent] (Koi Farmer Li Yi)
So our vision is to make every family have a courtyard, every family raises koi, the village is gurgling, and a group of fish friends is such a beautiful scenery, and also contribute our own strength to the revitalization of our village.
Shen Yishan, Zhou Sun Yu reports from Quzhou, Zhejiang
Editor in charge: [Liu Xian]