A traditional Southeast Asian farming technique, known as rice-animal co-culture, has the potential to address global food demands, improve environmental health, and generate an additional $150 billion annually for producers, according to a new study. The research, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), reveals that this ancient practice enhances rice yields, reduces nitrogen runoff, leaching, and methane emissions compared to monoculture farming.
Rice, a staple for about half of the world’s population, is predominantly grown as a single-crop species. However, rice-animal co-culture involves raising fish, shrimp, and ducks alongside rice paddies and has existed for over 1,000 years. Despite its historical roots, only 1% of global rice production comes from co-culture farms.
The study, published in AGU’s journal Earth’s Future, draws from an open-access online survey involving individuals and organizations from the private sector, government, education training research, and NGOs. It underscores the potential of this farming method to efficiently utilize land, reduce the need for commercial fertilizers and pesticides, and contribute to food security.
Key findings from the study show that rice-animal co-culture systems increase annual rice yields by 4%, reduce nitrogen runoff by 16%, and decrease leaching by 13% compared to rice monocultures. These systems also contribute to diversifying food types and nutrient sources.
The research indicates that the adoption of rice-animal co-culture could benefit producers globally by providing an additional $152 billion to $171 billion in revenue annually. Producers in Asia, particularly China and India, are estimated to earn an extra $34.8 billion to $52.8 billion per year, while countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Thailand could see an additional $10.4 billion to $18.9 billion in revenue.
Despite the potential benefits, global adoption of rice-animal co-culture has been slow due to the need for specific technologies, resources, and challenging national policies that favor rice monocultures. The study calls for a shift in agricultural policies to encourage the adoption of sustainable farming practices that align with the ancient wisdom of rice-animal co-culture.
