Article and photos by Jane Meijnen
Our adventure on 7 April 2023 was an eco-tour with The Conservancy Association, established in1968, to the rice paddies in Long Valley. Not only was it a rare opportunity to learn about traditional rice farming being practiced in Hong Kong, more importantly we were exposed to how agriculture and local ecological conservation are closely connected. The wetlands attract numerous wild birds, approximately 320 of the total 560 in Hong Kong, arguably the most notable one being the yellow breasted bunting, now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Rice farming brings the conservation that is urgently needed for its survival.
We started the day at the Kuk Shek Hau Ancestral Hall, originally thought to be constructed in the 16th Century for the Hau Clan as the second of the five largest clans in Hong Kong. As a testimony to the ideal surrounding farmlands irrigated by the Sheung Yue River (Beas River), the hall unusually housed an old waterwheel and other farming implements.
We walked parallel to the river before heading towards the wetlands where we learnt that wet farming in Hong Kong is sadly diminishing due to the expense of fertilizers, the hard work in production and midnight harvesting hours to ensure freshness for the morning markets, and the reducing winter season due to climate change resulting in reduced yield and income. This affects watercress, water spinach, and lotus leaves / flowers.
We learnt that before the 1970’s, Hong Kong had many rice paddies before diminishing as people left; until around 2011 when the rice fields were reintroduced, marking the initiation for conservation. The yellow bunting was the primary conservation interest, having once been considered a pest it acquired a TCM benefit with a dramatic consequence to its population getting down to 10-20 birds, but thanks to the 4 rice fields in Long Valley it is now hovering around 100 birds. With the migratory flight path from Siberia to Russia to China to Hong Kong, the carbs are a much needed source of energy!
Digging in further in to the rice farming practice and two rice seasons that exist in Hong Kong, which by contrast Japan being colder has one season and Thailand being warmer has three seasons, we learnt about the gestation period from seedling, to one month later the green being approximately one foot high, to transplanting in the field with 100 days needed before harvest. With approximately 4000 square meters of rice fields to reduce approximately 1200kg of rice annually. Three species of long grain rice are grown, and sold as Long Valley Eco Rice. So please show your support for this remarkable enterprise with supporting the special ecology of Hong Kong and buy this rice.
We walked around the rice fields and accompanying four lotus ponds as breeding grounds for fish, the ideal companion with rice, with the leaves perfect for wrapping food for cooking and of course the lotus seeds harvested in May for moon cake. Oh, we also learnt the most amazing party trick with the lotus leaves due to their shield preventing water absorption.
And so we came to an end of our most enjoyable and informative look in to the Hong Kong of old and now. While traveling to our meeting point I came across an article questioning how we balance wildlife conservation with urban development. The northern highway is proposed to run through this area as a direct threat. The northern metropolis is seeing rapid unofficial rezoning of land use so land owners can yield higher financial returns. Can we work better to be in harmony with and support our natural ecosystems for our long term necessity. Yes we can.
Many thanks to Slow Food Hong Kong and The Conservancy Association.