New Delhi, April 11 -- Agriculture in Sri Lanka is at a deadlock, and for the smallholder farmers, who constitute the backbone of the nation's food production, it is a question of survival. Endless debates go nowhere, with a focus stuck on fertiliser subsidies and drones. Yet, the solution-a part of our agricultural heritage for centuries-is being glaringly ignored: rice-duck integration. Indeed, the ancient practice alone can provide small farmers in rice production with a lifeline to retain economic viability, improve food security, and practice environmentally sustainable farming. The right time is now to resurrect this technique and nail it as a savior for Sri Lanka's smallholder rice producers.

Using ducks and rice in Sri Lanka refl...