Rice transplantation in Isan
Replanting (July)
Cultivating rice
Transplanting rice in Thailand is an essential stage in the cultivation of rice, a traditional agricultural activity that is vital to the country's economy and culture. This technique involves transplanting young rice plants, which have been sown in nurseries, into flooded rice fields. Here are the main stages and characteristics of rice transplanting in Thailand:Transplanting stages :
1. Preparing the nurseries: The rice seeds are first planted in nurseries where they grow for around 25 to 30 days.2. Preparing the rice fields: The fields are flooded and ploughed using tractors or, in some regions, water buffalo.
3. Transplanting: The rice seedlings are taken from the nurseries and transplanted by hand or by machine into the rice fields. Farmers plant the young shoots in rows to encourage uniform growth.
4. Maintenance: After transplanting, the rice fields require special attention, with regular control of water, weeds and pests.
Cultural and economic importance :
- Traditional culture: Rice is at the heart of Thai life, and transplanting is often community work. Festivals and rituals sometimes accompany this stage.- Local economy: Thailand is one of the world's largest rice exporters. Varieties such as jasmine rice (hom mali) are highly prized.
Modern challenges:
Despite increasing mechanisation, manual transplanting remains widespread, especially in rural areas. Farmers face challenges such as climate change, labour shortages and falling rice prices.
For a few months, this dry rice field is the domain of cows and buffalo, who graze what they can, at which time the rice field is left in peace.
When the time is right, it's time to plough.
The first ploughing is done dry, i.e. ploughing as in Europe, without adding water.
Traditionally, buffalo pulled the plough.
This method of ploughing is tending to be reduced more and more in favour of power tiller ploughing (the Thais call this the ‘chinese buffalo’ because ploughing machines are often made in China).
It should be noted that buffalo ploughing persists mainly in the Issan region in the north-east of Thailand, where buffaloes are still widely present.
Transplanting rice by hand is very hard work... just look at the position of the workers....
Rice seeds are first planted in nurseries, where they grow for around 25 to 30 days.
Rice seedlings are taken from nurseries and transplanted by hand or by machine into rice fields. Farmers plant the young shoots in rows to encourage uniform growth.
Finally, the Rice Harvest
The period of superb green expanses as far as the eye can see only lasts a few months... when the rice starts to be ready to be picked (November), the fields turn yellow, which also makes for beautiful landscapes to contemplate... but we know that the harvest is going to start very soon... the workers are ready to spend days under the blazing sun, protected from the sun as best they can... because the heat is terrible.
After the beautiful landscapes seen here and there after the transplanting period, the expanses of rich green gradually turn yellow and the panorama changes completely.
As rice is transplanted here in July and August (the rainy season), the farmers do not suffer too much from the heat, as they are surrounded by water and get regular showers.
But at harvest time, the temperature went up a few notches... and in November the conditions are pretty harsh, with temperatures rising to over 35°C in the shade.... then in full sun...
That's why they dress to protect themselves from the sun and the heat.
That's why they dress to protect themselves from the sun and the heat.
Here's the typical and highly recommended way to avoid suffering too much from the heat!
After the rice harvest, here's what's left...
