CCTV - Mekong Alive (2010) Part 3 The World's Vegetable Garden

This portfolio of films invites us to discover one of the longest rivers in the world, the Mekong. All along its course, from the Tibetan plateau to its mouth in the China Sea, on nearly 5.000 kilometres, this mighty river offers us uncountable enriching discoveries: the wonderful flora and rich fauna, the diversified landscapes of the Greater Mekong, the majestic mountains and wild gorges, the quiet lakes and breathtaking waterfalls.

We will discover countless temples set on its banks revealing the presence of Buddhism but above all, we will meet some of the 320 million people who live along the stream. It spreads over six countries: China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. With its abundant production of rice, fruits, vegetables and flowers, its basin has become what could be called the 'garden of the world', in comparison to Amazonia which is often called 'the lung of the world'.

Even if the countries, languages, histories, customs and nationalities are different, this river remains the undisputed economical, social and spiritual link of the region, oft called the Greater Mekong. Many colourful characters, all living on the banks of the waterway, will guide us in the discovery of the magnificent natural landscapes and traditional customs, leaving us to wonder about the imprint those natural links on the People of the Mekong. And about the environmental challenges they have to face.

Part 3: The World's Vegetable Garden
The film will deal with the vast farming lands that the waters of the river irrigate throughout the year and more particularly in the South where the plains naturally become nourishing fields. It is a basin covering over 2,5 million square kilometres giving life to an utmost important “green” industry: the children of this agriculture are of course called rice, but also fruits, vegetables and flowers.

The most impressive beneficiaries of the river's lavishness are the orchids and the lotuses. All along the Southern part of the course of the stream, the climate is very warm and favourable to the production of a large diversity of fruits. They are sold on the great market of Bangkok or, in a more traditional way, on the boats of the numerous floating markets. Also the climate of the Mekong region is ideal for rice growing. Farming methods are different according to the various countries and ethnic groups.

We will witness rice picking -Vietnam and Thailand-, producing of organic fruits Thailand- and also horticulture in China and Thailand. The latter is one of the most important exporter of orchids, over 70 % of the world production. China grows all sorts of flowers and most of the big flower markets also work all night. Modernity and mass production are almost everywhere, as can be noticed in the gigantic flower market in Dounan, China, a miracle of a digital auction place. But in Can Tho City, in Vietnam, we will also follow the steps of a fruit seller working on one of the many floating markets where most of the deals have kept a human size.