Organic Rice

Ecosystems in rice fields are the relationship between living organisms, living organisms and the environment within the rice fields. The consumer and the decomposers are in one way or order eating each other, as well as the circulation of nutrients, minerals and energy Transfer (Institute of Biodiversity, 2022)

Rice Field Producers, those who create food for other living things, that is, in addition to the rice plant, are the main producers in the ecosystem. Crops that usually grow in rice fields such as water clover, Sesbania, lotus, morning glory, weeds, reeds, spreading dayflower, and duckweed, including phytoplankton and some bacteria can create food for other organisms in rice fields.

Consumers such as fish, frogs, snails, Channeled apple snails, embryos of dragonflies, beetles, aphid worms, sucking insects, birds or even ducks raised to feed on the fallen rice after harvest and eat Channeled apple snails, which are enemies of rice.

Decomposers include various microorganisms in the soil or the presence of mushrooms that often occur along the ridges of the rice fields. After harvesting, the straw decomposes naturally, creating mineral circulation in the fields for the next planting season.

The essential nutrients, of the living organism in the rice field have only a small percentage of dissolving in the water, most of them accumulate in the form of muddy sediment, or in the composition of the organism itself. The release rate of these nutrients into the ecosystem depends on the physical environments such as temperature, light, humidity, acidity/alkalinity, and others (Upper Northern Research Management Network, 2013; Biodiversity Institute 2022)

A healthy ecosystem is the balance of all types of organisms in the food chain. If any categories are too much or too little, that ecosystem will lose its balance and will affect other organisms.

Basic rules on organic rice production for organic certified

Fertilizer

Organic fertilizer is applied to the soil preparation stage by ploughing into the soil before planting rice.
Green manure such as legumes, African Sesbania, and Sunn Hemp should be planted and ploughed before rice planting. It helps restore soil fertility, improves soil structure, and increases rice yield.
Compost: is used in soil preparation stages, by sprinkling 2 – 3 handfuls of bio-compost on the plot before ploughing the soil for the second cycle or before ploughing the furrows.
Soil samples are taken after harvest for analysis and sent to the laboratory for inspection.

Time to fertilize rice:

Photosensitive rice should be applied 2 times, the first time during transplanting/in the field 15 – 20 days after germination of rice and the stage when rice originates inflorescences.

Not photosensitive rice should be 3 times: the first time during transplanting/in the field 15 – 20 days after rice germination, during the period of maximum tillering and the period when rice is inflorescence.

How to apply fertilizer: Fertilizing methods such as sowing fertilizer and raking before planting, or sowing when rice begins to grow, when rice matures and when the ear is soft.
Planting Method: There are many ways to plant, such as sowing dry rice, sowing sludge, and transplanting paddy fields. These methods will determine the type of fertilizer, the time to apply the fertilizer, including the appropriate input rate.

This is because virtually all organic fertilizers have a relatively low concentration of nutrients. Therefore, it must be used in very high quantities, and if it is not properly managed, it will increase production costs.

"Make it happen in the area, put it little by little, regularly."

Pest and disease control by microorganisms

Bacteria destroy insect pests and plant pathogens.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) destroys insect pests by ingesting the infection. When pests in the worm stage eat the bacteria, it causes the worms to become paralyzed, stop eating food, develop blood poisoning, convulsions, and die within 5 – 7 days.
Bacillus subtilis (Bs) destroys many plant pathogens, both fungi and bacteria by competing for food and space for growth. Then create antibiotics and enzymes that destroy plant pathogens.

The fungus destroys insect pests.

Beauveria fungus destroys brown planthoppers, aphids, thrips, etc.
Metarisium fungus destroys many insect pests, especially pests in the soil.

The fungus destroys plant pathogens.

Trichoderma asperellum destroys many plant diseases, especially plant pathogens in the soil.

The virus destroys insect pests.

Nucleopolyhedro Virus or NPV destroys pests in the worm stage. The NPV virus damages the organs of the worm, causing the worm to die within 5-7 days. The NPV virus is highly specific to insects, such as the NPV virus of Onion Cutworm, destroys only Onion Cutworms. The NPV virus common cutworm destroys only common cutworms.

Insect pest control by natural enemies

Parasite

Insects feed on the host insects, just like parasites or worms

Predator

Insect-eating insects

Rats and rodents pest control

Trapping by using various types of traps
Dig and find the rats in the hole.
Catching rats after harvest
Making fences
Use of natural enemies such as snakes and owls.

Channeled apple snail pest control

Planting by using seedlings 25 - 30 days old.
During soil preparation: Create an artificial water channel around the plot to lure snails to gather together and destroy them.
Every time water is pumped into the rice field, use a grille to prevent trash and large clams first. Then block it along another layer as well with the wide-eyed nets. Frequently collect snails and trash so as not to obstruct the water entry.
Get rid of snails and egg clumps from last season and prevent new snails from entering
Place bamboo sticks along the sides of the rice fields to lure snails to lay eggs and then collect them and destroy them.
Collect snails and egg groups at least once a week. You may use plants such as papaya leaves to lure the snails together and destroy them easily.
Use natural enemies, such as releasing ducks to scavenge fields to eat shellfish. (after harvesting or before farming)

Bird pest control

Using people to chase
Using sound to frighten birds and flee, such as using firecrackers.
Use vision, such as using things that move when the wind blows. or items that can reflect light or the use of scarecrows The use of moving puppets is more effective than static puppets, and if the movement is accompanied by sound, the best results are achieved.
Preventing birds from entering, such as using nets.

**The various methods are effective only in a short period. When used for a long time, birds will become accustomed to them and not be afraid of these things. Because birds are intelligent animals, they can learn and remember quickly. Therefore, using several methods to prevent and eliminate rice pest birds is integrated. Therefore, it is likely to be a more effective method than using any one method alone.

Weed control

Choose rice varieties that can compete with weeds. For example, the White Jasmine Rice 105 variety has a tall stem shape, long leaves, and is widespread, causing weeds to not be able to fully grow or decrease in number.
Soil preparation such as crop rotation and plowing before weeds bloom and turning them into green manure.
Seed rate is about 1 - 2 buckets of seeds per rai or about 10 - 20 kilograms per rai.
Determining the time to plant rice, such as Khao Dawk Mali 105 and RD6 rice varieties, planting around mid-July will give the highest yield. There is a lower weed problem than planting these two rice varieties early in the year. Because it will cause the rice to experience drought conditions or the rain stops for a while and problems from severe weeds follow.
Weed control by pulling by hand 2 times at 15 and 30 days after rice germination. It will increase rice yield by approximately 84 percent compared to no weed control.

Sustainable and environmentally friendly production

Do not burn stubble, rice straw and organic waste on the farm. Because it destroys organic matter and beneficial soil microorganisms.
Stubble, rice straw and organic waste should not be removed from the field.
Soil should be analyzed every year. Then correct the pH of the soil to suit the growth of rice plants (about 5.5 - 6.5). If it is found that the soil is highly acidic, it is recommended to use wood ash to improve the soil condition.
There is a diversity of plants and animals in the fields according to their use, such as the diversity of natural enemies of insect pests such as dragonflies, spiders, and mollusk-eating birds. Growing grass for animals Or the lemongrass on the rice fields as a buffer zone. Raising animals such as shrimp and fish in the rice fields
Crop rotation is the practice of growing different types of crops in the same area in rotation without leaving the soil bare. Thus making the soil surface fertile, reducing pest outbreaks, and increasing crop yields.

Seeds and seedlings

Rice seeds and other crops are planted in the area.

Do not mix with chemicals.
Must not be GMO seeds
Use self-produced seedlings or from certified farms according to the same organic standards.
Do not be complacent, even if it is a plant grown for self-consumption.
The source of origin of all plants must be recorded.
If you are not sure whether the seeds used meet the certification standards, ask the inspection unit first, or keep some seeds for the inspector to review during the visit.
Rice seeds should be soaked in neem water for 2 days to get rid of gall midge and other insects from the seeds.

Avoid contamination

What are the risks?

When agricultural chemicals are used in neighboring plots. The level of risk depends on Frequency, kind of chemical, concentration, instruments used, wind direction, spacing, and Type of plant
In sloping areas, there may be a chance that the chemicals used (chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides) from the upper plot flow down the water.

What can be a buffer line?

Planting crops as a buffer line, such as grazing grass, and fast-growing shrubs.
Cash crops / or crops that are not certified
Roads or ridges that are farther away from neighboring plots of at least 1 meter
Rice planted as a buffer line must be a different breed with noticeable differences. (Be careful! produce must be separated, labeled, and recorded.)

How to avoid contamination of water used in rice fields

Water sources should conserve water used in rice fields. The water used for planting must be obtained from a source that does not have an environment that contributes to hazardous material contamination.
There should be a water reservoir, water water-filtering plants should be planted.

Other methods

Talking to neighboring flats to jointly find the solution.
Signing of mutual agreements (in combination with other measures)
Community regulation, etc.

Parallel production

In the case of farmers having many plots, such as organic rice production plots are parallel to other plots that plant other crops and have not yet been certified or conventional production.

Allowed with the conditions:

If organic and chemical planting areas are adjacent to each other. There must be a barrier to prevent chemical contamination in organic plots.
Different harvesting, transportation, and packaging containers must be arranged, or packaging equipment must be cleaned before using them to package organic products. Cleaning records must also be provided.
Tools and equipment must not mix and must be kept separately or in case cleaning is required and records.
Keep the production input factor (chemicals, fertilizers, seeds) separately and clearly labeled.

Adjustment phase

The adjustment time of rice to achieve certification according to various organic standards.

Organic Thailand: 12 months before harvest

EU standards: 24 months before planting

NOP standards: 36 months before harvest

In case there is evidence of not using prohibited substances in the previous period, the duration of the adjustment period might possible to reduce.
Separate and labeling organic product by displayed the organic stage of the product ("adjusted" or "organic" produce) on the product label during storage and transportation.

Separation and labeling of organic products

Separation and labeling of organic products must be displayed separately from other production all time.

The label must contain: Product Status (organic or adjusted or 100% organic in the case of NOP), source (your company name), customer name, product weight, certification Providers, production code for verification
Use only new packaging and display labels to store organic produce.
Do not use old fertilizer bags or bags that are not used for food containers.

Preparation of records and related documents

These records can be a simple form that suits the farmer.
Keep the record current and regularly.
Show to internal and external inspectors.

The standard requires the farmers to keep records of their farms and production such as:

Production plan and production records
Farm Location Map
Record of yields and distribution
Purchase and sales receipts

Understand the regulation of the organic standard and cooperate with the auditor during the assessment

To ensure that farm operations and inspections are correct according to standards. Farmer should do the following:

There must be documentation of the standards or documentation of the requirements which the farmer is requesting certification.
Must study, understand and have knowledge of both regulations and organic farming techniques.
Relevant documents must be recorded.
Daily operations are inspected and followed up.
There is a work tracking record.
Cooperate with internal audits of groups of which farmers are members.
Cooperate with external inspections by certification body inspectors.

Rice is not just food but a way of life.

Organic Rice Production Techniques