Enthusiasts of the strain say there are good reasons to be patient with it.

Kermes rice contains 2.5 times more amino acid content than general rice, which can help the production of proteins, and can increase levels of hemoglobin in the blood, allowing the body to better transfer oxygen from the lungs, said Chen Hongcun, an agricultural official in Tangshan.

"Unlike genetically modified rice, kermes is an original species left by our ancestors with no food safety concerns," Chen added.

In Yutian county, a kermes cooperative was established in 2010.

Output has increased to 3,000 kg per hectare this year from 750 kg three years ago and sold for 200 yuan ($32.50) per kg in 2017, said Wang Huichuan, a farmer and member of the cooperative in Liangjiadian township. One kilogram of ordinary rice sells for 4 yuan to 6 yuan in Chinese markets.

Even after labor and equipment costs, each hectare of kermes rice can net 2,000 yuan, several times more than other quality rice, said Wang, who estimates that the price for kermes rice will remain stable this year.

Zheng plans to sell about 500 kg this year and keep the rest for further research and planting next year. He said his farm only uses organic fertilizers.

He receives a government subsidy of 3,000 yuan per hectare and is confident that the rare variety will soon be on more dinner tables.

Questions:

1. What kind of rice is making a comeback?

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