Wet Rice Production in Southeast Asia

Being from North America, rice production is a bit foriegn to me, though through my experiences in Asia and via books I have gained some basic knowledge of this hugely important staple grain. There are two main systems of rice production, the first being wet rice cultivation and the second dryland. Typically wet rice is grown in low lying, flat regions where bermed paddies can be easily formed, though there are many places in which impressive terraced paddies have been carved into mountain sides and managed for thousands of years. There are some great examples of this in the Cordillera region of Northern Luzon in the Philippines. Probably the most famous of which is Banaue, a UN designated world heritage site, though I would argue that Batad, just down the road from Banaue is much more impressive. Several regions of Indonesia also boast beautiful landscapes of terraced paddies, as do most countries in the region. In comparison dryland rice production predominates in highland regions where swidden agriculture is practiced, or in paddies during the dry season.

Post Harvest rice paddies; Bali, Indonesia

In Thailand and Burma the season starts by cultivating small plots in which to germinate the rice seedlings. Traditionally this was done by hand or water buffalo powered plows, though tractor powered rotary cultivators have largely displaced these traditional techniques. After cultivating large weeds are removed from the paddy, though when water buffaloes were still a part of the system they would be left in the paddies to push the weeds into the soil and break up the soil lumps with their feet.

Tractor cultivation; Chiang Mai, Thailand

Prior to seeding the rice is soaked in water for 12 to 24 hours. The seeds are then placed in a sack and kept moist until germination takes place. Quite a bit of heat is generated during this process. When the seeds are hot and the first roots begin to show they are ready for planting. Before seeding the paddy is drained and a 'dance' is done to break up the lumps of soil, resulting in a soupy consistency. Rice seeds are then densely broadcast over the area. During the germination period the paddy must remain drained. Rice planting is an important time in Asian culture and is typically accompanied by a ceremony (party?!) and feast.

While the seedlings are growing the other paddies are cultivated and prepared for transplanting. About a week before cultivation the paddies are flooded to soften the ground and weaken the weeds. The paddies remain flooded until the rice is transplanted. This reduces the germination and regrowth of weeds. In some regions ducks were traditionally grazed in the paddies at this time to eat weeds and snails. While I have seen this in practice, most farmers these days use molluscicides to control snails. Thousands of decaying snails floating in paddies makes for a most awful stench! Unfortunately molluscicides also kill a range of other species including freshwater crabs, a favoured food of many farmers. Approximately 45-50 days after seeding the rice is ready to be transplanted.

Ducks grazing in a paddy post harvest; Bali, Indonesia

The germination area is flooded a couple days before transplanting to soften the soil. The seedlings are yanked from the ground and tied into bundles for transport to the paddies. To transplant the seedlings 3 to 5 plants are held with the thumb, index and middle fingers. Using a quick motion plunge the seedlings three to six inches into the soft ground and release. The Burmese plant their rice approximately eight inches apart, while the Thai farmers use a wider spacing. The Thai farmers also cut the leaves on their seedlings so the plants are only about 10 to 12 inches long. This reduces evapotranspiration rates while the seedlings establish. The Burmese people I work with don't do this and I noted that many plants lost their turgor and were laying on the ground or floating on the water in low undrained areas.

Carrying bundles of rice seedlings; Chiang Mai, Thailand

Transplanting rice; Chiang Mai, Thailand

It will take approximately three to four months for the rice plants to mature. During this time the farmers will have to control pests and weeds. In Southeast Asia industrial agriculture has largely replaced traditional and organic management techniques. The use of chemical fertilizers as well as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides is prolific. While in the past a diverse paddy ecology could satisfy many nutritional needs through the consumption of rice, snails, crabs, fish, insects, duck eggs and meat and other plants, a reductionist approach to agriculture has eliminated all but the primary crop. In my next blog I will discuss the shortcomings of contemporary rice production and suggest potential alternatives for a more sustainable future.