Traditional symbiotic farming technology in China promotes the sustainability of a flooded rice production system
The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides required by intensified agriculture has caused a significant damage to the environment. However, deploying effective measures to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use without decreasing grain yield has been challenging. This study reviews the history, benefits, and weaknesses of the classical farming technology in China. We explain how using animals to control and reduce pathogens, pests, and weeds is beneficial, and why the rice fish/rice duck (RF/RD) system requires less chemical fertilizer and pesticide. Finally, we present a new planting and breeding model to overcome the weakness of the RF/RD with a ridging design to increase water level for fish/duck. This new model could further improve the economic, social, and ecological benefits of classical farming technology. This study suggests that further development of Chinese traditional rice farming method under the context of the modern intensification of agriculture is of high ecological and economic values.
Sustainability Science