According to Fu, the ducks were raised for 50 days, and they grew together with the rice while eating the grass and worms in the fields.

"The ducks wandering around in the fields helped dredge the rhizome," Fu says.

"Also, their manure is a natural fertilizer for the rice."

Lou Fugui, the retired deputy head of the Huanren agricultural technology promotion center, is helping Mibole.

With more than 30 years' rice-planting experience in Huanren, Lou knows every inch of the land.

"Planting rice is actually more about relying on the weather," says Lou.

"The rain affects the humidity."

"Rice with 14.5 to 16 percent moisture content has the best flavor, and that's what we are trying to reach."

The Mibole paddy is rented from local farmers, and they are hired to help tend to it.

Tang Lihua has rented out her field this year.

The rental plus the income she earns from helping Mibole harvest their rice is about the same as when she planted rice herself.

"But it's a lot easier as we don't have to be in the field year-round.

"When the others are busy taking care of their rice, my husband and I can do some part-time work and make extra money," the 47-year-old says. "I've tried the (Mibole) rice, and it tastes better than ours."