Rice farming involves a complex process that includes land preparation, planting, management and harvesting. It plays a significant role in ensuring food security and contributing to the livelihood of millions of farmers worldwide.
Paddy rice agronomy
Land preparation. Paddy rice cultivation begins with land preparation. Farmers level the field and create dykes or barriers to control water flow and drain the field to maintain optimal water levels during different stages of growth. Proper land preparation ensures uniform water distribution and prevents water logging.
Planting. Rice can be planted through direct seeding and transplanting. In direct seeding, rice seeds are sown directly into the field while transplanting involves growing rice in a nursery and then transplanted into the main field once they are ready. Transplanting allows for better weed control and uniform spacing.
Management practices
Weeding and pest control. Weeding is essential to prevent weeds from competing with crops for nutrients, water and sunlight. Weeding is done either manually or using herbicides.
Pest and disease management is crucial to protect the crop from various threats like insects, fungi and bacteria.
Harvesting is done when the grains have matured and turned golden. Rice harvesting is done by cutting the rice plants, staking them to dry and threshing to separate the rice from the stalks and winnowing to remove chaff and debris.
