In the fertile plains of Kerala, where rice paddies stretch between a network of canals and backwaters, a unique form of farming has flourished for generations. In this tradition, ducks are not just livestock but important partners in agriculture.
After the paddy harvest, farmers release flocks into the flooded fields. The birds feed on leftover grains, weeds, and insects, thereby naturally cleaning the fields and providing organic fertiliser through their droppings.
Their movement through the water also helps aerate the soil, reducing the need for chemical inputs. This harmonious system, particularly evident in Thrissur and Kuttanad, combines practicality with beauty and has recently attracted global attention through viral video footage showing hundreds of ducks moving together across the waterlogged fields.
The birds appear almost choreographed, yet their actions are entirely natural. Farmers guide them gently, allowing the ducks to explore the fields freely. While the ducks search for food, they also control pests that could harm the next crop. The method is sustainable, low-cost, and highly effective, proving how traditional practices can achieve multiple goals at once.
Ducks in the paddies also serve as living fertilisers. Their droppings enrich the soil with nutrients, while their movement spreads the fertiliser evenly across the fields. By the time the ducks are returned to their coops, the paddies have been naturally cleaned, fertilised, and aerated.
This symbiotic relationship between birds and fields reflects generations of experience and careful observation of natural processes. It also makes the paddies visually striking, with the gleaming green of young rice shoots contrasted by the dark forms of ducks moving across the water. This timeless practice continues to survive, providing a simple yet effective example of sustainable farming in Kerala.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thebetterindia.com
