At dawn in Shanghai's Chongming, 67-year-old rice expert Kenichi Ishizuki captured white egrets foraging freely in green rice fields — a scene he shared online with the note: "Cultivating rice in harmony with nature."

With decades of organic farming experience, the Japanese brought eco-friendly farming techniques to Chongming five years ago, insisting that protecting the environment is key to growing award-winning rice. Under his guidance, local farms adopted pesticide-free methods and advanced equipment, winning gold medals in national rice competitions. The area now integrates agriculture, eco-tourism and education, showcasing a sustainable model where farming and nature thrive together.