Terraced rice paddies free of pesticides bring back frogs, dragonflies, and aquatic plants

▲"Farmers for a Day" experience fieldwork in the terraced rice paddies, walking barefoot in the fields. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)

Travel Center / Taipei Report

The New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau held the "2013 New Taipei City Wetland Industry Experience Camp" today (the 26th) at the terraced rice paddies in Jilin Village, Gongliao District. Participants were seed teachers from Keelung City, Yilan County, New Taipei City, Taipei City, and Taoyuan County who are actively involved in wetland-related education. They observed the beautiful, layered scenery of the water after the restoration of the terraced rice paddies and also experienced the task of weeding in the fields. Beyond spending a day as farmers and experiencing fieldwork in the terraced paddies, they also witnessed the restored beauty and the rich ecology in the fields.

To promote the conservation of terraced rice paddies, the Agriculture Bureau organized the "2013 New Taipei City Wetland Industry Experience Camp." Participants arrived in Jilin Village, Gongliao District, which boasts a different vibe from the city and especially fresh air. The beautifully stacked terraced rice paddies captivated everyone. Under the guidance of farmer Xiao Chunyi, participants tried their hand at weeding, walking barefoot into the rice paddies and pressing the weeds among the rice plants into the soil to serve as natural fertilizer. In addition to feeling a closer connection to nature with their bare feet and experiencing both the joy and hardship of being a farmer, they also learned that in pesticide-free field management, various wetland organisms such as frogs, dragonflies, and aquatic plants have returned to the terraced rice paddies.

Liao Rongqing, Director of the Agriculture Bureau, stated that areas within New Taipei City such as Gongliao, Sanzhi, and Jinshan feature many terraced rice paddies with stunning landscapes. These are cultural landscape diversities created by the lifestyle of early settlers on mountain slopes. Terraced rice paddies are usually located at the intersection of hillsides and flat paddy fields and, due to ecological marginal benefits, boast rich biodiversity. They also support agricultural production to ensure food security while providing national land security functions such as flood detention, water storage, purification, and water resource conservation. Furthermore, they help prevent soil erosion and landslides on slopes, preserving the ecosystem and maintaining biodiversity, regulating the climate, and safeguarding rural culture, landscapes, and recreational functions.