Kaiyang sturgeon promotes local rural vitalization

Relying on its abundant underground cold-water resources and excellent ecological environment, Kaiyang county has been developing its sturgeon farming industry over the past few years, becoming a new driver for rural vitalization.

Guizhou Hongyankou Ecological Fishery Co, established in 2021 in Kaiyang's Fengsan town, has invested over 5 million yuan ($702,000) to develop standardized ecological sturgeon farming bases. Covering more than 4,000 square meters, the town now features 75 fish ponds with running water and produces around 100,000 kilograms of sturgeon annually.

Fengsan town plans to develop a direct purchase-and-sale model based on its sturgeon farming base, bringing high-quality sturgeon to households across the country. It also plans to explore deep processing and eco-tourism, further extending the industrial chain and promoting the growth of the "farming + sales + leisure tourism" industry.

Kaiyang has so far opened 10 sturgeon farming companies across seven towns, with 11 large-scale sturgeon farms, which account for over 40 percent of Guiyang city’s total sturgeon output. "Kaiyang Sturgeon" was also recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, appearing on the 2025 national list of special and new agricultural products.

A villager fishes sturgeons from the fish pond.[Photo/WeChat account of Kaiyang county]