Zhao Yafu (L) and his assistant check the growth of rice in Tianwang Town of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 12, 2026.

While many people in their 80s are content to enjoy retirement, Zhao Yafu, an 85-year-old agricultural expert in Zhenjiang, east China's Jiangsu Province, still spends much of his time working in the fields.

After graduating from college in 1961, Zhao started a lifelong career in agriculture. Over the years, he worked extensively in rural areas, providing technical guidance and helping farmers increase their incomes.

Zhao retired in 2001, but instead of leaving the countryside, he volunteered to work in Daizhuang Village, a relatively remote village in Zhenjiang. At the time, the village's per capita annual income was less than 3,000 yuan (about 441.7 U.S. dollars). Zhao helped them develop a more sustainable approach to farming by integrating rice and fruit production with livestock and poultry farming.

The integrated farming system gradually transformed the village. Over the past two decades, the rice paddies here have been cultivated without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The village has gradually become a thriving habitat for birds and other wildlife. As the local environment improved, so did the quality and value of the agricultural products. The per capita annual income in Daizhuang exceeded 47,000 yuan (about 6919.8 U.S. dollars) in 2025.

In 2018, Zhao established a studio. The studio has trained 1,200 rural science and technology professionals. The successful practice of Daizhuang Village has been introduced to other rural areas. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Zhao Yafu (L) and his assistant check the growth of rice in Tianwang Town of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 12, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

This file photo taken in 1991 shows Zhao Yafu (R) guiding a farmer in strawberry cultivation in Baitu Town, Jurong City, east China's Jiangsu Province.(Xinhua)

Zhao Yafu (L) discusses peach sales with a farmer and a distributor in Daizhuang Village of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 12, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

Zhao Yafu (L) and his assistant visit a fertilization technology demonstration area to check the growth of rice in Tianwang Town of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 4, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

Zhao Yafu (C) discusses peach cultivation with a farmer in Daizhuang Village of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 12, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

This file photo taken on May 15, 2013 shows Zhao Yafu (2nd L) guiding farmers in a field in Daizhuang Village of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province.(Photo by Yang Zheng/Xinhua)

Zhao Yafu (R, front) shares his experience in developing organic agriculture with faculty and students from Yangzhou University in Tianwang Town of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 4, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

Zhao Yafu discusses peach cultivation with farmers in Daizhuang Village of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 12, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

Zhao Yafu (1st R, front) shares his experience in developing organic agriculture with faculty and students from Yangzhou University in Tianwang Town of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 4, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

Zhao Yafu (C) discusses peach cultivation with a farmer in Daizhuang Village of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 12, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

This file photo taken on March 14, 2019 shows Zhao Yafu checking the growth of strawberries in Baitu Town, Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province.(Photo by Yang Zheng/Xinhua)

Zhao Yafu (L) discusses peach cultivation with a farmer in Daizhuang Village of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 12, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)

Zhao Yafu poses for a photo in a peach orchard in Daizhuang Village of Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 12, 2026.(Xinhua/Li Bo)