Technology is the key to breeding crabs on saline-alkali flats. The banner's agriculture and animal husbandry bureau, science and technology bureau and aquatic products service center have collaborated with Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Yancheng Teachers University in Jiangsu province and other institutions to establish an aquatic product science and technology facility, as well as a crustacean green circular aquaculture doctoral research workstation.

Researchers focus on overcoming core technologies such as aquatic plant cultivation, water quality regulation and ecological feeding to achieve optimal saline-alkali water crab farming.

Since the seedlings were released, Yang Yanping from the doctoral research workstation has been stationed daily at the base to monitor water temperature and seedling activity. "Aquatic plants regulate water quality and provide food for the crab seedlings, as well as offering hiding spaces," said Yang. "The wide geographical area and suitable climate temperatures here allow for the year-round cultivation of waterweed, which ensures the quality of the crabs."

The doctoral workstation has researchers participating in the entire breeding guidance process, said Gao. From early pond transformation and aquatic plant cultivation to mid-stage feeding management and late-stage quality control and experimental testing, they are involved in every step to ensure the quality of the crabs.

"Furthermore, teachers from the aquaculture team of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University are stationed at the front lines year-round, summarizing and forming a localized, replicable healthy crab farming model and promoting the implementation of technological achievements," Gao added.

It is estimated that local crab production will exceed 250,000 kg this year, with a production value of over 50 million yuan ($7.33 million). The three major bases have driven the development of over 13.3 hectares of nearby farming areas, providing around 300 job opportunities for surrounding farmers.

Currently, construction of new farming bases at Taiyangmiao Farm and Shuangmiao township is being accelerated, promoting the deep integration of ecological farming with rural tourism and agricultural product branding.