Italian rice farmer beats heat with biodiversity haven

In the Vercelli plain of northwest Italy, farmer Alice Cerutti has transformed a portion of her rice fields back into their natural state, focusing on biodiversity rather than crop yield. Cerutti has planted over 10,000 native plants, including oaks, alders, ash, and hornbeams, which have attracted a remarkable increase in butterflies, dragonflies, and other wildlife. She began restoring her 110 hectare farm in 2012 after taking over the management of the Cascina Oschina family farm.

Cerutti grows traditional Italian rice varieties, such as Carnaroli Classico and Arborio Classico, which are more resilient and produce smaller but higher-quality yields compared to modern rice. She employs green manure and legume crops to enrich the soil without using chemical fertilizers. Additionally, 1,200 sheep graze on the fields during the off-season, leaving organic matter that further enriches the soil.

Italy is the largest producer of rice in Europe, but the sector is facing challenges due to Asian imports, rising production costs, and droughts exacerbated by climate change. Cerutti has lost some production due to heat, but her historic rice varieties withstand drought and extreme heat better. The flooding of paddies plays a crucial role in recharging groundwater, but dry-seeded rice farming, popular in Italy's rice belt, is transforming fertile land into desert.

Cerutti's efforts align with the UN's 30x30 goal, which aims to protect 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030. She has renaturalized a third of her farm, including 25 hectares of wetlands, which now house rare species like the Large Copper butterfly and the black-tailed godwit. Cerutti hopes to compensate for lost earnings by offering educational programs, guest accommodation, and hosting academics. Despite skepticism from fellow farmers, she remains passionate about restoring her land, finding joy in the process.