Crane Rice

What is Crane Rice^TM?

Crane Rice^TM is a sustainably-cultivated rice which has been grown to encourage the recovery of the Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone) population in Cambodia. As a Globally Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List^TM, their population is declining because of destruction of their wetland habitat. This is due to climate change, agricultural expansion and chemical use.

Crane Rice^TM is grown in rice fields within Anlung Pring Protected Landscape (APPL) in the Cambodian Lower Mekong Delta, where between approximately 100 to 350 Sarus Cranes spend their winter each year! This is one of only two areas in the Lower Mekong used by these cranes in the non-breeding season (from December to March)!

Crane Rice^TM aims to encourage the recovery of the Sarus Crane population by:

1. Providing a supplemental food source for the cranes in the winter months.
2. Preserving their wetland habitat by reducing chemical use in the area.

How is Crane Rice^TM made?

The rice variety Sarus Cranes like to eat is grown in the fields, and between 5% and 50% is left unharvested in the field as a supplemental food source to help get them through the winter months!

Chemical fertiliser, pesticide and herbicide use is also reduced by between 15% and 100% on all rice fields!

Do the rice famers also benefit from Crane Rice^TM?

Yes! It’s not the just the cranes who benefit from Crane Rice^TM! The farmers who volunteer to participate are given agricultural supports like free organic fertiliser and free rice seeds to plant in the Crane Rice^TM areas! They are also given training on sustainable rice cultivation and management techniques, soil management and fertiliser application! They receive compensation for all rice left in the field to feed the Sarus Cranes as well. And on top of all this, they benefit from the improved condition of the farmland and nearby water sources due to the reduced chemical use!

It’s a win-win for cranes and for farmers!

Contact:

For more information about the project, find us on Facebook or visit our

website at: websitewww.naturelifecambodia.org

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Or contact us at:

H/P: (855) 078 732 240

Office phone: (855) 023 993 631

Email: admin@naturelifecambodia.org