Growing mulch in place in paddy field

I have been trying no-till rice/millet for many years, but not successful. The main reason is weed control, once achieved this by growing pureria for close to 1.5 years, but after cutting and growing rice, it didn't come back. Fukuoka san achieved weed control using white clover and also his rice plant grew relatively tall and were adapted to such environment. 

Weeds take over the field during fallow period and with the start of rainy season, they grow first. Mulch is one way to control them and need mulch which decompose slowly. Recently found a fodder grass growing in the farm, which meets these requirements. They grow back in 1 month time after cutting when there is soil moisture and is perennial.

So one field which I was not using for long time, I planted these grasses in rows 8 feet apart and plan is to cut and mulch the space between the rows. Since this mulch decompose slowly should provide good weed control.

Fodder grass, it grows much thicker

Fodder grass planted 8 feet apart in rows

Happy hill rice in backyard

Happy hill rice in backyard didn't do well last time. Even though the area was grown with different legumes, still the fertility was not upto the mark, also since the land had many stones, when it rained, stones were standing out.

So decided to make a low lying area with all stones removed. So dig one area and soil was removed and all stones were hand picked and removed. Then filled the top soil again and compost was spread here. Seeds which was received from Japan in 2021 had been kept in refrigerator, this was kept out side for a day and then soaked in cowdung water for 24 hours and then kept in wet cloth. It germinated in 12 hours 

August 30, 2023

04-Sept-2023

Germination was good and few started growing out

18-Dec-2023

This time in each grow bag, only few plants were retained and they started doing good. Grains started forming