An agricultural cooperative released more than 10,000 ducks into its rice paddies to serve as field caretakers in Shanwei, Guangdong on April 14, 2026. The ducks feed on weeds and pests such as rice planthoppers, reducing the need for pesticides. Their droppings also serve as a natural fertilizer, enabling an ecological crop-livestock system that lowers labor costs and improves rice quality.
According to the head of the cooperative, this rice–duck co-culture model is not simply a matter of letting ducks loose in the paddies. It is a scientifically managed ecological farming method. In general, a small number of ducklings are first released about two weeks after rice transplanting. As the seedlings grow taller, the number of ducks is gradually increased, and slightly older ones are introduced to ensure that rice growth is not affected. The cooperative mainly raises breeds such as the green-headed ducks. Ducklings are sourced in a standardized way from large-scale breeding companies and are vaccinated before entering the farm. The breeding cycle lasts more than 120 days.
Once the rice seedlings reach a suitable height, the ducks are allowed to move freely through the fields. Rather than pecking at the rice plants, they feed specifically on weeds and insect pests. Their movement also loosens the soil and promotes root growth, creating a sustainable cycle in which ducks protect the rice, and the rice helps raise the ducks. One important point is that once the rice enters the booting stage, the ducks must be driven out of the paddies to prevent them from pecking at the rice flowers and affecting the seed-setting rate.
The cooperative plants both early-season and late-season rice. After the grain is harvested, ducks are released into the fields again to feed on scattered rice grains and underground insects, thereby improving land-use efficiency.
Unlike ordinary meat ducks raised on commercial feed, the ducks here are fed mainly on corn, supplemented by insects and grasses found in the fields. They are not given formulated feed, so their meat is firmer, leaner, and more flavorful. These eco-raised ducks are marketed mainly through online channels, attracting customers from the Pearl River Delta and other places. The cooperative also offers on-site selection, freshly caught and prepared poultry, and courier delivery.
This model has not only improved the quality of both the rice and the duck meat, but also increased income for the village and local residents. Land transfers provide farmers with stable rental income, while paddy management and duck rearing create jobs close to home. Building on this model, the cooperative is developing a local brand of Duck-Paddy Fragrant Rice, while also raising lion-headed geese, free-range chickens, and other products to diversify supply and increase added value.
Author | Zhang Xuanzhen (intern), Liu Lingzhi
Photo | Nanfang Plus
