A paddy field with mature rice is seen in Tongzhou district, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The rice harvest recently began in Tongzhou district, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province.

This year, the total output of a 365,000 mu (243,333 hectares) rice field in the district is expected to reach 232,000 metric tons.

Thanks to an improved rice variety and advanced agricultural technology, the average yield per mu of rice in Tongzhou this year is 635 kilograms, two kilograms more than last year, said Wu Yongjun, head of the plantation station in Tongzhou.  

At a demonstration farm in Jinsha sub-district, Nangeng No.46, a variety of high-quality rice, is currently being harvested.

In recent years, Tongzhou has expanded its farmland for growing high-quality rice, thereby strengthening the rice industry in the district.

The plantation rate of high-quality rice in Tongzhou has exceeded 95 percent.