03:50Japanese farmers from Hyogo Prefecture's city of Tamba Sasayama involving ducks in rice-growing to avoid the use of pesticides.
A local farmer Shunsuke Iseki shared a legend of how web-footed birds warned Osaka Castle defenders of the approaching enemy and later the tradition of rice-duck farming had started.
"Ducks are eating insects, and then the ducks swim like this, which makes it harder for the grass to grow. So, well, the ability to grow rice without the use of pesticides is a characteristic of this duck farming method. Also, the ducks swimming around stimulate the rice plants and make them grow stronger and healthier, so that delicious rice can be grown," farmer explained.
Traditional Japanese 'aigamo' rice farming method developed by farmer Takao Furuno from Keisen village is reportedly also used by farmers from China, India, Vietnam Malaysia and the US' state of Vermont.
Quack patrol! Japanese farmers use insect-eating ducks to grow rice in eco-friendly way
Japanese farmers from Hyogo Prefecture's city of Tamba Sasayama involving ducks in rice-growing to avoid the use of pesticides.
A local farmer Shunsuke Iseki shared a legend of how web-footed birds warned Osaka Castle defenders of the approaching enemy and later the tradition of rice-duck farming had started.
"Ducks are eating insects, and then the ducks swim like this, which makes it harder for the grass to grow. So, well, the ability to grow rice without the use of pesticides is a characteristic of this duck farming method. Also, the ducks swimming around stimulate the rice plants and make them grow stronger and healthier, so that delicious rice can be grown," farmer explained.
Traditional Japanese 'aigamo' rice farming method developed by farmer Takao Furuno from Keisen village is reportedly also used by farmers from China, India, Vietnam Malaysia and the US' state of Vermont.
Japanese farmers from Hyogo Prefecture's city of Tamba Sasayama involving ducks in rice-growing to avoid the use of pesticides.
A local farmer Shunsuke Iseki shared a legend of how web-footed birds warned Osaka Castle defenders of the approaching enemy and later the tradition of rice-duck farming had started.
"Ducks are eating insects, and then the ducks swim like this, which makes it harder for the grass to grow. So, well, the ability to grow rice without the use of pesticides is a characteristic of this duck farming method. Also, the ducks swimming around stimulate the rice plants and make them grow stronger and healthier, so that delicious rice can be grown," farmer explained.
Traditional Japanese 'aigamo' rice farming method developed by farmer Takao Furuno from Keisen village is reportedly also used by farmers from China, India, Vietnam Malaysia and the US' state of Vermont.