Wet-paddy fields are a tremendous source of protein-rich food, income and livelihoods to people in the Delta regions. The countries in the region include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and parts of Thailand. The first three countries are perhaps some of the few in the world where the application of agro-chemcials is not heavy as elsewhere. However, there is an increasing trend of application into wet-paddy lands. This has created a substantial loss of protein-rich food and livelhoods for the majority population who depend on the collection, sale and consumption of fish, crabs, prawns, snails, insects and other creatures from paddy fields.
The attached pictures show the dependency of people in Delta region on the free-harvesting of creatures frm paddy fields. Measures to reduce chemcial application is warranted to save livelihoods of the majority living in Delta areas.
Anura Widana