As the plants mature, cultivators allow the water level in the field to drop. By the time the plants reach full maturity, the ground is entirely dry, and farmers can easily harvest the rice.

During their reproductive season, the newts “migrate to the breeding ground, usually pools or shallow waters,” but also a rice field, the study said. Females lay their eggs in late May ...

Field-chasing ducks are often a breed ... "The ducks also step on the rice stubble to flatten the ground and that makes it easier to plow." This integrated farming system is traditional here ...