Bradbrook - 2012 - Rice Farming complete with methods to increase ric

small farmers and their families who grow rice in less than one hectare of land.
Profit from such a small space is minimal, although labor costs are irrelevant
because family members are never paid for their work. Most of the operation such
as planting and harvesting is done by hand or with the aid of an animal particularly
during land preparation. Rice farming techniques are passed down from one
generation to another. In developed countries such as those in Europe and the US,
rice operation is completely mechanized: from land preparation to planting to
harvesting. As such, growing rice in these countries would require higher capital
and labor costs than growing rice in developing countries.
Part 6: Tools, Equipment and Machinery
Equipment and machinery used in rice production include those for land preparation,
planting, harvesting, drying and storage. The use of equipment varies by region and economic
factors. In poor farms in South and Southeast Asia, many farmers still use hand tools to
prepare the land for rice planting. Other farmers attach land preparation implements to
animals such as water buffalos and oxen to break up the soil. Two- and four-wheeled tractors
make land preparation an easier and faster process. Planting and harvesting are also done
either manually or with the aid of hand-powered equipment or tractors. In developed
countries, the entire rice production process is mechanized and various tractors are used for
land preparation.
The following are the implements needed in the production of rice through the various stages
of operation.
Activity T ools/Equipment/Machinery Use/Purpose
Land preparation
tiller/cultivator, plow, harrow,
leveling board
to loosen and break up the
soil into small clumps and
level the land
Planting seeder to transplant rice seedlings
in rows; can be handoperated
or motorized
Harvesting harvester to separate the panicles from
the plants
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