Over six hectares of genetically modified (GM) rice crops were destroyed on July 30 in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, according to the local government.

Each grower was compensated in the amount of about $100 per hectare.

The BT63 rice grown in Jiangxia District is popular among farmers because of its pest resistance. The farmers, who grew the same GM rice variety in 2010, say the seeds came from "acquaintances" who did not provide invoices.

This isn't the first time that GM rice had been found in Hubei. News media uncovered the sale of experimental GM rice on the local market in May and July.

The government said it is tracking the source of the seeds.