Rice farmers carrying rice seedlings for planting in the Philippines. The Banaue rice terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The terraces were declared a GE free zone, by the provincial government in 2009. Rice terraces are diverse ecosystems where varied vegetables, such as sweet potatoes and watercress, are grown next to rice. Fish and snails are also found in the rice paddies. Families also maintain home gardens with chickens and pigs. Such crop and food diversity ensures a healthy and balanced diet for the farmers’ families and their communities.