Ducks instead of pesticides: an organic technology from Japan (photo)

In France, a farmer named Bernard Pujol removes weeds from rice fields, according to a Japanese technique, with the help of ducks and not pesticides, writes Agro-Center.

Earlier, the farmer worked as a manager at one of the French farms, but after his son saw the Japanese technique, he started his own business:

“Am I more stupid than the Japanese?” says Bernard.

Ducks in the rice field have several benefits: leave less farm work and help to save money on pesticides. Before planting rice, Bernard has been planting alfalfa for two years and releasing his sheep in the field. Then the wheat is sown for the season, and only then rice. In the spring, Bernard practices “misleading crops” to “lure the weeds”: he pours water on the fields, but does not plant rice:

“Weeds think that I will sow rice and sprout. After that, I will dry the fields and destroy them,” says Bernard.

In May, he sows rice and puts ducks in the field for 15-20 days, they grow along with rice. Birds do not damage rice, only weeds. The only disadvantage is that after a season of eating the weeds ducks need to be slaughtered for meat. They get fat and begin to harm the plants. The farmer needs to change duck every season.

Bernard believes that ducks are the future of organic farming.