On my previous post on May 25th, I introduced a farmer
cultivating rice with “Aigamo-duck Method” in Hachioji.
In Japan it is well-known
as an organic rice-farming method with "no waste". Aigamo-ducks are a
hybrid between wild and domestic ducks. They help keep the rice paddy free of
insects and weeds. As you can see in the photos the rice paddy has beautiful
rice plants because the ducks are really working hard and have eaten all the
insects and weeds. Furthermore, when the ears of rice are formed, the ducks are
sold for their meat. So, they are agricultural products at the
same time they are workers of the farm.
The reason that Aigamo-ducks are specifically
used for this style farming is that they grow faster than wild-types and easily
adapt to the environment. In fact the ducks work only for several months after
farmers planted rice seedlings into rice paddies. They will be harvested right
before the rice years start to come out, because they are too diligent to eat
up all the ears of rice.
After Aigamo-ducks were released into rice
paddies with enclosures they are left free, but it is not difficult to catch
them at harvesting. The farmer said that the ducks remember the farmer because
of imprinting and also he sometimes gave them additional food as treats, so
they come out of the rice paddies when they hear the farmer's voice as you can
see in the lower row of photos. It is important because the farmer can’t leave
any ducks left behind not only for protecting his rice but also for a regulation
of environmental preserving that tells these types of hybrid created by human must
not be released into nature.
Apparently, their meat is very good for
making soup broth although it is a little too hard to eat as meat dishes.
Probably their hard work makes their body muscularity, but anyway rice and a
soup with duck broth would be a wonderful set for a meal. Hope you have a
chance to taste them!
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