[arjie]

Oh, absolutely. One Straw Revolution isn't a weeds-are-good book. It's a description of less intrusive methods to maintain crop health.

For rice plantations, he does try to ensure weeds don't grow. I don't remember the exact methods advocated, but I believe it was placing straw all over the ground, and for some crop he grew clover in the downtime between harvest season and growing season, I think. I don't recall too much, though.