HOPE SAKUMA: AZOLLA POWERED RICE

With the paddies planted in neat rows of nursed Nerica rice, the dedicated farmers of Hope Sakuma have been tirelessly tending to their paddies. As the sun rises over the lush green landscape, casting a golden hue on the vibrant paddies, the farmers are hard at work, ensuring that every aspect of their rice cultivation is executed with precision and care.

Now is the opportune moment for our cherished traditional practice of Azolla scattering, a crucial step in enhancing the growth of our rice crops. The process begins with the careful gathering of fresh Azolla plants from the nutrient-rich swamp areas of the farm. This aquatic fern, known for its remarkable ability to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide and nitrogen, plays a pivotal role in rice farming, protecting tilapia and catfish from predator birds, eliminating weeding time, helping offset the farms CO2 emissions and providing nitrogen to the rice plants. Once collected, the Azolla the farmers take great care to distribute it evenly across the paddies, much like scattering seeds. This natural fertilizer, often referred to as a "miracle" for its numerous benefits, will soon blanket the paddies.

As the rice seedlings grow into plants their overarhcing leaves causes the Azolla to die back, releasing vital nitrogen just as the rice seed is setting. The synergy between the Nerica rice and the Azolla is a testament to the farmers' understanding of ecological balance and their commitment to sustainable practices that benefit both the land and the community. In this harmonious relationship, the farmers are not merely cultivating crops; they are nurturing a sustainable ecosystem that will yield bountiful harvests for generations to come.

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