Anas platyrhynchos × Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, or Aigamo, is a domesticated strain of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos, family Anatidae) developed in Japan for integrated rice paddy farming, where the ducks provide natural pest control and fertilization. The name Aigamo (合鴨) combines the Japanese words ai (“combined”) and gamo (“duck”), reflecting the crossbreeding between domestic ducks and wild mallards to produce a hardy, active strain well adapted to rice paddies. These ducks retain the mallard’s characteristic broad bill and strong swimming ability while displaying the adaptability and docility of domestic breeds.

Aigamo ducks are traditionally released into flooded rice fields during the growing season, where they feed on insects, weeds, and snails, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and herbicides. Their movement in the paddies also aerates the soil and contributes manure, enriching the fields with nutrients. This symbiotic agricultural practice, known as “Aigamo method,” originated in Japan in the 1960s and has since become a model of sustainable rice cultivation. As a food source, Aigamo ducks are raised both for their ecological role and for their meat, which is prized for its tender texture and mild flavor, intermediate between wild mallard and fully domesticated duck. The ducks are typically slaughtered at a young age, ensuring tender meat suitable for roasting, simmering, or inclusion in hot pots (nabemono) and other traditional Japanese dishes.

Aigamo meat is high in protein, contains beneficial fatty acids, and provides vitamins and minerals such as iron and B vitamins. Compounds present include carnosine and taurine, which contribute antioxidant and metabolic effects.