Abstract
In recent years, the global food-insecure population has increase. To improve food production while safeguarding the environment, ecological intensification techniques have become crucial. Considering rice's significance in feeding half the world, here we focused on the role of weeds, birds, and dragonflies, organisms that naturally occur in crop fields, in a paddy field in Brazil. We observed no significant differences in rice production between areas with or without a second weeding. However, access restriction experiments revealed that the presence of birds and dragonflies led to a remarkable 37% increase in rice yield, equivalent to approximately 71.6 additional bags per hectare. Results reinforce that promoting biodiversity-friendly practices in agriculture is essential for sustainable farming and aligns with global biodiversity initiatives, including COP 15, the 43rd Conference of FAO, and the Sustainable Rice Platform's Standard for Sustainable Rice Cultivation. Emphasizing these practices will not only enhance food production but also contribute to a healthier environment for generations to come.
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