Sticky Yellow Paper
Tea growers use super sticky yellow sheets to trap insects that may otherwise eat and destroy crops. At first ,I found these an intrusion to the beautiful landscape of tea terrace photography. However, they were also somewhat unavoidable, and the rectangle seemed to contrast with the natural undulations. Most importantly here, these yellow sticky "flags" allow growers to minimize pesticides.
Perhaps this is also part of effort by government to increase quality to become more competitive in global markets (factsanddetails.com). After the collapse of the tea "bubble" in 2006, many local farmers were left to find more stable crops, such as rice and corn. [Source: Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, January 16, 2008]. However, tea is still a cultural crop of China with traditions and cultivation dating back 5000 years.
Perhaps this is also part of effort by government to increase quality to become more competitive in global markets (factsanddetails.com). After the collapse of the tea "bubble" in 2006, many local farmers were left to find more stable crops, such as rice and corn. [Source: Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, January 16, 2008]. However, tea is still a cultural crop of China with traditions and cultivation dating back 5000 years.