Eco-friendly certified long-tailed tadpole shrimp? Continuously observed in Hampyeong and Jangheung rice fields

The presence of long-tailed tadpole shrimp, a species sensitive to environmental conditions, is increasingly being observed in eco-friendly rice cultivation areas in South Korea's Jeonnam Gwangju province. These crustaceans are considered a key ecological indicator, thriving only in paddies with healthy soil and water quality, and minimal use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Known for their ancient appearance, resembling a knight's helmet and possessing a long tail, these shrimp have remained largely unchanged since the Triassic period, earning them the nickname "living fossils." They play a beneficial role in the rice paddy ecosystem, hatching after rice planting in late May and early June. By stirring the paddy floor, they help suppress weed growth and consume insect larvae, thereby enhancing the overall health of the aquatic environment.

In Hampyeong County's Daedong-myeon, the 'Nabigol Wolsong Complex' and 'Dongam Organic Ecological Village' have reported sightings of these shrimp in their approximately 30-hectare rice fields since mid-June. In Jangheung County's Jangdong-myeon, where organic farming has been practiced for over 27 years across 70 hectares, long-tailed tadpole shrimp and fairy shrimp have been intermittently seen for years, with a significant increase observed since last year.

Kim Young-seok, head of the Jeonnam Gwangju Province's Eco-friendly Agriculture Division, stated the province's commitment to continuing policies that promote eco-friendly agriculture and conserve the environment. This initiative aims to build a sustainable agricultural foundation for the region.

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We will continue to promote policies for the expansion of eco-friendly agriculture and the conservation of the ecological environment to create a sustainable agricultural foundation.