We have a pretty large organic farm about 90 minutes from Bangkok where we grow vegetables for our kitchens. We also have 1,000 free range chickens that happily roam around eating fallen mangoes and lots of other natural foods. They lay lots of eggs for the Pad Kaprao, Pad Thai and other delicious foods cooked up at our various healthcare facilities and restaurants. You can see some of our farm in the slides above.
We’ve always thought that our innovative methods in organic farming were pretty cool. But apparently what we do is nothing compared to what rice farmers in many parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, do to grow rice without hazardous pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Instead of these harmful chemicals, they use ducks to provide both insect protection and fertilization. Yes ducks! You probably don’t believe me, so why not watch this short video to see for yourself.
If you’re interested in learning more about this ducky subject, here are a couple of articles (HERE & HERE) on how ducks are used to help rice farmers improve their yields and protect their fields.
In Canada, we have an organization called Ducks Unlimited whose aim it is to preserve wetlands for waterfowl like ducks. In Southeast Asia ducks are used to save farms for people. It’s a full circle of benefits for both people and ducks.
So remember, whenever you see a duck in a stream or lake in Canada, don’t forget to think about its duck relative halfway around the world doing us a favour by protecting rice fields.
I love that the chickens eat fallen mangoes. I am sure that the eggs are sweeter and more flavourful than ours.
Btw are the ducks then transported to “duck heaven”?
The eggs from the farm are a different colour – more orangey. They are very good. And yes, I think the ducks, after their months of rice crop duty, do head off to “duck heaven.”