Search Results (12)

Rice–fish culture, an ancient agronomic practice, integrates aquaculture with rice farming, a sustainable solution for enhancing food security and agricultural productivity. The recent advancements and historical perspectives on rice–fish culture have increased its ecological, economic, and social impacts. The practice spans over 2000 years and has seen significant technological improvements, especially in regions like China, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Implementations of modernized rice–fish systems demonstrate increased rice yields, reduced pest and weed prevalence, improvements in soil quality, and higher profits for farmers. For example, in China, it was reported that a rice–fishing system produced 6000–7000 kg of rice and 1500–7500 kg of fish per hectare per year. Furthermore, the fish reduce herbivore insect abundance and weed abundance, effectively eliminating the need for pesticides. Despite its advantages, challenges such as water management, the availability of quality fish seed, and socio-economic barriers remain. By synthesizing findings from various studies, we will highlight the potential of rice–fish culture to contribute to sustainable agriculture and rural development, recommending strategies for optimizing its adoption and addressing existing constraints. Full article

This study investigates the continuation of Environmental Conservation Agriculture (ECA) practices among farmers in the Ifugao Rice Terraces, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in the Philippines. Through a cross-sectional survey of ECA farmers in the municipality of Banaue, this research explores the socio-demographic, environmental, and economic factors influencing the adoption and persistence of ECA. The findings reveal that while access to resources such as high-yielding seeds, modern farming equipment, and financial support is important for the adoption of ECA, the shift toward high-yielding varieties has contributed to a decline in the cultivation of Tinawon rice, which is vital for maintaining the ecological balance and cultural heritage of the terraces. This study underscores the importance of balancing modern agricultural practices with the continued cultivation of Tinawon rice to preserve biodiversity, soil health, and cultural identity, while also enhancing agricultural productivity. Additionally, the roles of community-based support systems, market access, and financial incentives are highlighted as key factors in sustaining ECA practices. Climate change presents both challenges and opportunities for adaptation, making it essential to integrate traditional knowledge with modern techniques to build resilience. Understanding the factors that shape ECA continuation is crucial for refining initiatives that address both the economic and cultural contexts. By emphasizing the importance of tailored, community-driven interventions, this study provides critical insights for enhancing ECA adoption in the Ifugao Rice Terraces, contributing to climate resilience and the long-term sustainability of this significant agricultural heritage system. Full article

The Ifugao Rice Terraces have been the Philippines’ first and only Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) since 2011. More than a decade later, this study assesses whether Ifugao farmers find this designation beneficial and if it enhances their sense of involvement. Through a cross-sectional survey of GIAHS farmers in Banaue, Ifugao, this study examines perceived benefits and involvement, along with views on youth participation in agriculture, farmer livelihoods, and tourism management in Ifugao. The findings reveal that 65.1% of farmers see the GIAHS designation as beneficial and 58.7% feel involved. Farmers who perceive limited tourism benefits from the GIAHS are more likely to feel uninvolved, while those who value the designation’s potential for improving income and consumer demand for Ifugao rice report higher involvement. Cultural heritage and ancestral values are significant motivators, with some farmers viewing the GIAHS as a means of preserving traditions. Support from local government, subsidies, and media enhances involvement, particularly among those practicing rituals or growing the traditional Tinawon rice, which strengthens ties to the GIAHS. Additionally, farmers involved in discussions or training on Environmental Conservation Agriculture (ECA) report a stronger connection to the GIAHS, as ECA practices align with their traditional, sustainable approaches. Overall, this study highlights the complex role of the GIAHS as a bridge between cultural heritage, livelihood, and sustainability, underscoring the need to integrate farmer perspectives more closely into GIAHS initiatives in Ifugao. Full article

In recent years, rice–crayfish integrated farming has expanded rapidly in the Hongze Lake district of China as the booming consumer market of crayfish. However, the current rice cultivation technology limits rice yield and the economic profits of rice–crayfish integrated farming, and the characteristics and farmers’ practices of rice culture under the rice–crayfish integrated farming system are unknown. To understand the present rice culture practices in rice–crayfish integrated farming by farmers and their perceptions and provide direction for improvement, a survey was carried out in 2019 and 2020 in Xuyi County, a representative region of rice–crayfish integrated farming in the Hongze Lake district of China, comprising 208 farmers engaged in RCIF, and detailed and complex information was obtained using face-to-face conversations. Based on the survey results, we found that farmers have limited knowledge of the rice cultivation request in a specific RCIF mode and well-suited rice varieties and mechanical transplanting equipment and corresponding techniques are lacking in RCIF. In addition, farmers had no reliable and scientific methods for the use of nitrogen fertilizers and pest management schemes. In accordance with the constraints mentioned above, we put forward the following suggestions for rice culture improvement: (i) the local agricultural extension department should strengthen the RCIF mode and extend techniques and training; (ii) researchers should develop RCIF-suited rice varieties, mechanical transplanters, and related seedling-raising methods; (iii) researchers should clarify the occurrence regularity of soil properties and rice pests with continuous RCIF practices and provide corresponding guidance for nitrogen application and pest control schemes. Full article

Rice is a water-guzzling crop cultivated mostly through inefficient irrigation methods which leads to low water use efficiency and many environmental problems. Additionally, the export of virtual water through rice trading and the looming water crisis poses significant threats to the sustainability of rice production and food security. There are several alternative rice production methods to improve water use efficiency. These include aerobic rice, direct-seeded rice (DSR), alternate wetting and drying (AWD), saturated soil culture (SSC), drip-irrigated rice, a system of rice intensification (SRI), and smart irrigation with sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, drip-irrigated rice and IoT-based automated irrigation are not feasible for poor farmers due to the high production costs associated with specialized machinery and tools. Similarly, aerobic rice, drip-irrigated rice, and the SRI are labor-intensive, making them unsuitable for areas with a shortage of labor. On the other hand, DSR is suitable for labor-scarce areas, provided herbicides are used to control weeds. In this article, the suitability of different water-saving rice production methods is reviewed based on factors such as climate, soil type, labor, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions, and their prospects and challenges are evaluated. Additionally, the article examines how cultural practices, such as seed treatment, weed control, and nutrition management, contribute to enhancing water use efficiency in rice production. Full article

Chinese local gazetteers have long been widely used by scholars to investigate the local products, culture, economy, and much more. Confronted with large-scale digitized resources nowadays, researchers can explore historical texts in a novel way. In this paper, we propose a computational approach in order to perform large-scale quantitative analysis of plant knowledge embedded in Chinese local gazetteers. We select the typical rice cultivars by their occurrences in the records, interpret their common features, and leverage the data clustering algorithm to investigate the inner connections among cultivars. We conduct a case study on a dataset of records of rice cultivars over 8 centuries in Jiangsu Province, China. We find that although planting early-season rice in Jiangsu province was the common practice, the local rice farmers cared more about the color, quality, and uses of cultivars than their sowing time. In addition, not all the rice varieties mentioned frequently in records are local plants. Plants imported from other provinces or countries were also highly recorded because of their good quality and special characteristics. Our study offers a practical guide and reference to history study as well as useful clues for modern agriculture. Full article

Fish farming is a rapidly growing food sector in developing nations. Liberia is an example of a least developed country with a large population facing high poverty levels. This has led to the adoption of aquaculture as one of the most important strategies for solving malnutrition and food security problems. However, since the introduction of fish farming, fish yields have been persistently low. To address the shortcomings in fish yields in Liberia, a study was conducted to provide information on fish farming intensities, types, and quality of feeds used by farmers in the culture of O. niloticus in Bong, Lofa, Nimba, and Grande Gedeh counties. Using stratified purposive sampling, 120 farmers were interviewed, and their fish feeds were sampled for proximate nutrient analyses. The results demonstrated that fish farming of O. niloticus in Liberia is mostly semi-extensive (81.6%), mainly practiced in paddy, barrage, and earthen ponds. On average, farmers produce 165.7 kg ha⁻¹ of O. niloticus annually, translating to USD 414.25. Farmers use mixed feeding regimes, comprising farmer-made, kitchen waste, and blended commercial feeds. Farmers, on average, spend 43% of their operation cost on feeds, which makes it unsustainable to maintain semi-intensive systems. The main feed ingredients used by Liberian fish farmers are rice bran, wheat bran, corn, palm kernel, and fishmeal. Crude protein levels in feed ingredients are as follows: rice bran (3.7 ± 1.3%), wheat bran (16.4 ± 1.5%), corn (6.3 ± 1.1%), palm kernel cake (14.8 ± 1.4%), and fishmeal (63.8 ± 1.3%). Crude proteins were low in formulated feeds, ranging from 8–15% CP. From this study, poor yields and the slow growth of O. niloticus can be attributed to low-protein diets, rendering farming ventures unprofitable and unsustainable for resource-poor farmers in Liberia. Full article

Ecological engineering is an agroecological approach to pest management that has been adopted by thousands of rice farmers in the Mekong Delta Region of Vietnam. Farmers adopted the intervention as part of a heuristic approach to developing the technology. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to ecological engineering among participating and non-participating farmers. Interviews with 315 farmers revealed a diversity of practices under the umbrella of ecological engineering, all of which were associated with the establishment of linear vegetation strips as habitat for natural enemies. As a restoring service from society to the rice ecosystem, ecological engineering incorporated significant positive-feedback loops, particularly regarding the production of supplementary foods (provisioning services) and the aesthetic value (cultural services) of planted rice bunds. Participating farmers reported fewer insecticide applications to their main rice crop; they applied insecticides at a later crop growth stage (protecting pest regulating services); and they reported higher rice yields. However, a high dependency on government support, the role of agrochemical extensionists in providing information, a tendency to apply pesticides to vegetation strips and little change in the appreciation of wildlife-related services all threaten the social sustainability of the intervention. We recommend greater attention to optimizing linear strips to not only support natural enemies but to also enhance supplementary farm incomes while reducing material and labor costs. Full article

Agricultural activities cannot be separated from indigenous knowledge (IK), which has developed and continues to be strongly maintained by Bugis–Makassar farmers in the face of rapidly developing science and technology. The objective of this study was to explore the IK practices in rice cultivation of the Bugis–Makassar farmer community, as well as the process of integrating IK and scientific knowledge into decision making. The study used a number of qualitative methodologies to gather information, including meetings, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and semi-structured interviews. Our results show that IK is slowly disappearing and being replaced by middle-aged people and youth, who seem to care more about modernization than assimilation. However, with the existence of Tudang Sipulung, the fading of local wisdom may be inhibited. Tudang Sipulung’s strength lies in the government’s involvement in integrating IK and scientific knowledge into formal forums and agreement. The Tudang Sipulung agreement is formally binding with constitutional sanctions applied. In order to provide optimum benefits, engaging young farmers in the understanding and preservation of indigenous and scientific knowledge is recommended to preserve local culture and transfer modern technology. Full article

Research on farmers has predominately focused on how they think through the mind, i.e., their reflexivity regarding farming practices and values, as well as their cultural and symbolic representations of farming. While this literature offers valuable insights, it builds on an underlying mind/body duality. Based on qualitative interviews with 25 rice farmers in Japan, this paper focuses on the body of farmers, in terms of how bodily senses shape how farmers make sense of their farming practices. We show that the body, as the site of interaction with matter, shapes the farmers’ ability to be affected by rice plants. By honing their senses, the farmers learn to make differences and to perceive new possibilities, engaging in a reciprocal process of becoming-with the rice. This ability to develop sensuous engagements may contribute to farmers developing production practices that are in harmony with the local agro-ecosystem and more generally enable new imaginations, strengthening the possibility that things could be otherwise. Full article

Anther culture technique is the most viable and efficient method of producing homozygous doubled haploid plants within a short period. However, the practical application of this technology in rice improvement is still limited by various factors that influence culture efficiency. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of two improved anther culture media, Ali-1 (A1) and Ali-2 (A2), a modified N6 medium, to enhance the callus formation and plant regeneration of japonica, indica, and hybrids of indica and japonica cross. The current study demonstrated that genotype and media had a significant impact (p < 0.001) on both callus induction frequency and green plantlet regeneration efficiency. The use of the A1 and A2 medium significantly enhanced callus induction frequency of japonica rice type, Nipponbare, and the hybrids of indica × japonica cross (CXY6, CXY24, and Y2) but not the indica rice type, NSIC Rc480. However, the A1 medium is found superior to the N6 medium as it significantly improved the green plantlet regeneration efficiency of CXY6, CXY24, and Y2 by almost 36%, 118%, and 277%, respectively. Furthermore, it substantially reduced the albino plantlet regeneration of the induced callus in two hybrids (CXY6 and Y2). Therefore, the improved anther culture medium A1 can produce doubled haploid rice plants for indica × japonica, which can be useful in different breeding programs that will enable the speedy development of rice varieties for resource-poor farmers. Full article

This study proposes a novel index to evaluate agricultural vulnerability to climate change in coastal areas, using the case of Andhra Pradesh, the state with the second longest coastline in India. Field data was collected from more than 1000 farmers (involved in over 50 varieties of crops) in 22 riverine and coastal case study areas. Data was collected through site visits, surveys and five workshops conducted between November 2018 and June 2019. Based on the collected data sets, a new Agricultural Coastal Vulnerability Index (AGCVI) was developed and applied to the 22 sites located in two districts (Krishna and Guntur) of Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The analysis revealed that the areas with three crop seasons (Kharif, Rabi and Zaid) per year are highly vulnerable to climate change. On the other hand, sites with one crop season (Kharif) per annum are the least vulnerable to climate change. Moreover, grains (particularly rice), flowers and fruit crops are more susceptible to climate change and its induced impacts. Rice is no longer a profitable crop in the case study areas partly as a result of unfavourable weather conditions, inadequate insurance provision and lack of government support for farmers. Cumulatively, all these circumstances impact farmers’ incomes and socio-cultural practices: this is leading to a marriage crisis, with a reduction in the desirability of matrimony to farmers. These findings provide valuable information that can support climate and agriculture policies, as well as sustainable cropping patterns among farmers’ communities in coastal areas of India in the future. Full article