Close to a year from now, the world's biggest hydroelectric project - the Three Gorges Dam in China - will be completed.

Our correspondent sails down the Chang Jiang to see how life has changed for the river folks.

Fisherman-turned-farmer Ruan Manzheng looks right at home on his plot of land, but if there's one thing the slight 47-year-old has learnt, it is that farming is tough!

Ruan Manzheng, Fisherman-turned-Farmer, said: "Other farmers know the best time to use pesticides but I don't even know what kind of spray to use! When my vegetables grew to a certain height, they became infected. They were difficult to treat."

Ruan first picked up a hoe three years ago.

He and his wife used to fish for a living on the Chang Jiang, but since 2001, they were only allowed to fish for three months each year after the authorities imposed a restriction to protect the river's biodiversity.

When Ruan Manzheng had no choice but to turn to farming three years ago, this was the only plot of land available in the village, a plot nobody else wanted and so the yield has not been altogether satisfying.

Unlike the more spacious neighbouring plots, there is not enough space here for a greenhouse, so the Ruans grow beans and chillies, instead of more profitable crops like tomatoes.

The yield has been so bad that in the past three months, the couple managed to sell just close to two US dollars worth of chillies!

To compensate for the three quarters of each year that they can't fish, the government gives them about 20 dollars each month.

Mr Ruan says this meagre sum is less than half the amount that residents on social welfare in his town get.

But while the fishing restriction is linked to the Three Gorges Dam, the world's biggest hydroelectric project, he does not blame the project for hurting his livelihood.

Ruan Manzheng says: "I hope the authorities will buy out my fishing business one day, so that I can seek other forms of livelihood. That's my only hope. If we continue to rely on the Chang Jiang, but the management of the river doesn't improve, there'll be no hope for us."

But for some others, the dam has already brought benefits.

Cindy Yan, Tour Guide, said: "I never imagined I'd benefit from the dam in this manner. In 1997, when I was still in college, I came for a visit but I didn't have a clear idea of the project. I liked the place and thought I would be fortunate to work here. Now, I'm actually here!."

Tourism is providing a steady source of income for some here, as many visitors are eager to see the dam that defeated the raging Chang Jiang,

But for others like Mr Ruan, only time will tell if the sacrifices they have made will deliver the benefits that've been promised. - CNA/ch