Mongabay Explains: How ducks encourage sustainable rice cultivation
This Mongabay Explains’ episode examines the agroecology manner of aigamo, where ducks are launched into rice fields to procure weed and pest administration, plus free fertilizer, for the grains. Originating in Asia, it’s been successfully adapted at a rice farm in Vermont, which is now practising other farmers in the sustainable methodology to raise the
- This Mongabay Explains’ episode examines the agroecology manner of aigamo, where ducks are launched into rice fields to procure weed and pest administration, plus free fertilizer, for the grains.
- Originating in Asia, it’s been successfully adapted at a rice farm in Vermont, which is now practising other farmers in the sustainable methodology to raise the production of rice in the space.
- Agroecology is a neighborhood of sustainable agricultural tactics modeled upon pure ecosystems that also applies gentle growing traditions developed by Indigenous, archaic and local communities.
A pioneering rice farm in Vermont has embraced the agroecological methodology identified as “aigamo manner,” which introduces ducks into rice fields to offer pure weed and pest administration, alongside with vital fertilization for the grains.
Originating in Japan, where ducks maintain long done a important feature in rice farming, the aigamo manner used to be pioneered by Eastern farmer Takao Furuno in the Eighties as an modern, chemical-free manner to agriculture.
The success of the aigamo manner in Asia drew the attention of farmers worldwide. In 2010, this unique methodology caught the eagerness of a Vermont farmer, Erik Andrus, atmosphere the stage for a assorted experiment in the heart of Current England.
The wander started with the series of wintry-tolerant Hokkaido rice sorts from Japan and the introduction of mulard ducks, identified for his or her distinctive foraging skills. The job begins in the spring with rice planting in nurseries and concludes in the autumn with the processing of grains, yielding prosperous, nutritious and natural rice ready in the marketplace.
Beyond attaining success, the farm is actively engaged in practising fellow farmers in these sustainable programs, reworking underutilized moist fields into thriving rice fields that profit both agriculture and natural world.
Extra episodes are readily in the market on Mongabay Explains’ YouTube playlist.
Banner portray courtesy of Boundbrook Farm.
