A group of students in a South Dunedin flat took advantage of the flooding that filled their backyard yesterday by planting what they believe to be Dunedin’s first rice paddy.
Flatmates Siana Fitzjohn, Charlie Montague, and Harry Young said their new paddy was not only a new opportunity but a way to prove a point about climate change.
"This rice will be expensive, like climate change is.” said Charlie, “Some say we could take action against climate change to improve food systems but they fail to understand that may put our crop in jeopardy - and we're committed to our rice, our business and our wallets growing!"
"We realised the backyard kept flooding and thought it was a great opportunity to grow a crop of 'Sea Level Rice'. We know that climate change disrupts food security worldwide. Our rice paddy is expecting large demand as the climate continues to heat up and food systems are negatively impacted. We are really lucky to have this new market."