ORGANIC RICE FARMING AND WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION IN DELTA DEL EBRO
(Catalonia – Spain)
Riet Vell Experience.
Workshop Internationale PROGETTO LIFE ECORICE
June, 21st. 2013
SEO / BirdLife is fully aware about
importance of traditional activities for
conservation of biodiversity
and birds in particular
For this reason, SEO / BirdLife has over 20
years working for a more sustainable and
wildlife friendly farming
Supporting agrienvironmental programs
Promoting the protection of endangered habitats
like steppes or wetlands.
Working on demostrative projects
IMPORTANT BIRDS AREAS IN SPAIN
391 - 16 millones de hectáreas
Barcelona
Ebro Delta
Madrid
Valencia
IMPORTANCE OF EBRO DELTA
for biodiversity
55 species in Annex I of Birds Directive, very
important for herons, seabirds & migratory
waterfowl.
World’s biggest colony of Audouin’s Gull.
22 other species in Annex IV of Habitats
Directive
18 habitats in Annex I of Habitas Directive
8.000 ha of natural wetlands
It is a protected area as:
Ramsar site
Special Protection Area for birds
Natura 2000
Natural Park with two special Reserves
IMPORTANCE OF EBRO DELTA
for people
50.000 inhabitants
500.000 tourists/year
21.000 ha of ricefields
 Rice farming:
60 million euros per year
 Fisheries:
18 million euros per year
Most of the Delta is occupied by rice fields
and natural wetlands
A long term strategy for sustainability
In 1997 we started a demostrative project looking at the environmental,
agronomical and economic feasibility of organic rice: “Improvement of
habitat management in the Ebro Delta SPA” (Life-Nature 96/E/512,
1997-2000).
The main objective was to assess whether organic rice could be
feasible, good for the environment and good for farmers.
An important result:
Organic farming could be profitable.
The success of this pilot study led us to launch a much more
ambitious initiative:
. To create a commercial company (Riet Vell S.A.) dedicated to crop and
sell the organic rice produced in its own land and also by other farmers.
. It was necessary 600,000 € as starting capital, so we needed the
participation of a lot of people, specially convinced with the idea.
. With that money we would buy a 55 hectares rice farm, to be sustainable.
. The company should be controlled by SEO/BirdLife, at least in the first
stages.
AND WE DID IT...
. Initiative was announced to the members of SEO/BirdLife and
other similar organizations and through some specialized
magazines.
. About 200 people bought shares of the new company (Riet Vell,
S.A.) with minimum investment of € 1,500, reaching € 800,000.
. SEO / BirdLife currently owns 21% of the company, is the
majority shareholder and controls the council.
. The company began work in March 2001, buying a farm of 55
hectares, of which 11 were abandoned to restore natural
marshes and 44 are used for organic production of rice.
Some results
. Almost 100% is sold with our own brand (Riet Vell)
. Main cooperatives of Delta buy, make ​and market organic rice and
are already several mills that are certified to produce organic.
. We work with other products that share the same philosophy.
. Riet Vell's farm has become a reference for conservation and
birdwatching in Ebro Delta, with over 5,000 visitors annually and an
ongoing program with volunteers and environmental education.
Riet Vell rice is marketed with a clear message supporting the
conservation of Ebro delta, its birds and their habitats.
Riet Vell develops different activities :
- Agriculture, its main activity, based on organic rice production
- Commercial, selling rice and pasta, and occasionally other
products.
- Studies and projects, focusing on different aspects of the Ebro
delta conservation or organic rice production
In addition, the farm of Riet Vell is a major point of attraction
for birdwatchers and visitors of the Ebro delta and, in
collaboration with SEO/BirdLife, offers permanent programs
for volunteers and environmental education.
MAIN AREAS OF RICE PRODUCTION
IN SPAIN
And rice areas of particular environmental
importance:
Delta del Ebro
Albufera de Valencia
Marismas del Guadalquivir
IN THESE AREAS, RICE PADDIES:
Is an important supplementary habitat for natural marshes and
many species
Plays an important role in the supply and distribution of water to
the wetlands
Acts as a filter of the water quality.
Distribute sediments of rivers
......
But it is also a crop that occasionally causes negative impacts
on the environment by the type of management and
agrochemicals required.
THESE BENEFITS ARE STRONGER
WITH ORGANIC RICE
No use of agrochemicals
Produce much more biomass
…
HOWEVER, ORGANIC RICE FARMING
IS NOT EASY AT ALL
Strong professionalism is required
Needs specific management of land and water levels,
difficult to get in large rice homogeneous surfaces
such as Ebro Delta and the Albufera
It is a real challenge in areas like the Delta del Ebro,
almost at sea level, with high salinity and with
underground water very near of the surface, making
very difficult or impossible to carry out crop rotations.
Despite these difficulties
organic rice farming could be a key factor
in the management of wetlands
like Delta del Ebro, Albufera de Valencia
or Marismas del Guadalquivir.
Wetlands where public administration is
responsible for a proper environmental
conservation
SOME POINTS TO PROPOSAL ISSUES (1):
CRITICALITIES (what are the major problems toward
biodiversity as me and my institution perceive them?) and
PRIORITIES (on the basis of my experience/study, and with
regard to biodiversity enhancement/conservation)
- Standardisation of rice cultivation and management
- Diffuse pollution and toxicity (Nitrogen, agrochemicals…)
- Exotic and invasive species (caracol manzana or
Pomacea canaliculata or Golden Apple Snail)
- Damage from wild species (Flamingos, Porphirio
phorphirio, ducks…)
SOME POINTS TO PROPOSAL ISSUES (2):
GOOD PRACTICE (By our knowledge, good practices that
deals with the above problems)
- Reduction of agrochemicals. Integrated Agriculture and organic farming
- Diversification in water management and cultivation techniques.
Development of fallow. Improvements in edges and boundaries.
Complementary use of livestock.
- A good design of agri-environmental measures.
- Restoration of marshes and natural wetlands in big areas of rice fields
- Required increase of scientific and technical knowledge available
SOME POINTS TO PROPOSAL ISSUES (3):
Main CONFLICTS and OPPORTUNITIES related to rice-farming
management and biodiversity conservation.
Conflicts:
- Diffuse pollution and toxicity
- Homogenization of the crop and water management
- Damage from wild species
Opportunities :
- Increase of consumer´s appreciation for values ​such as proximity
and environmental or social implications
- Increase of social awareness about environmental problems and
sustainability
- Exceptional richness in terms of biodiversity in some rice areas