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Haven for Storks: Paddy Fields with Reduced Chemical Application Expanded
Paddy fields in the basin of the Maruyama-gawa river in the city of Toyooka, Hyogo prefecture are ready to receive storks which are to be released back to nature this autumn for a unique cultural practice has been firmly established after three years of experiment that depends on less use of farm chemicals and chemical fertilizer. Joint efforts by farmers and related organizations such as JA cooperative resulted in turning paddy fields to such a condition as loaches and frogs (the stork's natural food supply) can thrive in abundance and the rice can be sold with a brand.
The cultural method had been established by the Toyooka agricultural extension center in the main. In compliance with the standards for the prefecture government certification "Peace of Mind Hyogo Brand", application of farm chemicals and synthetic fertilizers were reduced to the maximum possible extent, the timing was delayed of summer drainage during tillering stage and the fields were flooded during winter to provide aquatic animals with kind environment to habitate. Some 42 hectares were certified for the brand, this season.
'Home of Storks Farming Association', one of growers' organizations in the area says, "This is not just for storks. To produce rice that is safe to eat in peace of mind is good for local people as well." The association plans to sell harvest of this season to a big superstore of the area on pre-arranged contract done through the local JA cooperative.
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Memo:
A flock of storks had been around at the basin of the Maruyama-gawa river, which was the last flock to be found in Japan, till 1971 which hence got extinct. In 2003, Hyogo Prefectural Park 'Homeland for the Oriental White Stork' drew up a plan to promote releasing of artificially raised storks into natural fields and joined hands with farmers to create chemical-reduced paddy fields and biotops - German word for wild habitat. The park plans to release five aritifitially multiplied storks into nature for the first time on September 24. |
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