Rice Cultivation: Step by Step from Soil to Harvest
Rice isn’t just food in our part of the world it’s the heartbeat of our fields, our kitchens, and our culture. For many farmers, rice cultivation is more than a job it’s a legacy passed down from fathers and grandfathers. But even if you’re just starting, don’t worry. You don’t need fancy machines or a big budget. What you need is patience, a bit of land, and the willingness to learn by doing.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything I know and have learned from others—how to grow rice in a way that’s practical, affordable, and suited to our climate. Whether you’re planting one bigha or a few pots in your backyard, this guide is for you.
First Things First: Know Your Rice
There are different types of rice. You might have heard of Basmati, Chinigura, Kalijira, or even BRRI dhan varieties. But they mainly fall under two groups:
- Indica rice – Long grain, grows in warm climates like ours.
- Japonica rice – Short grain, grows in cooler regions.
If you live in Bangladesh, West Bengal, Assam, or a similar area, stick to Indica varieties. They handle our weather better.
Common Local Varieties:
- BRRI dhan28 – Good for Boro season (winter rice).
- BRRI dhan49 – Better for Aman season (monsoon rice).
- BRRI dhan87 – Grows in coastal areas where the soil is salty.
- Chinigura/Kalijira – Fragrant and high in market value, great for small scale or backyard farming.
Story: My neighbor Rafiqul grew Kalijira in three broken water tanks behind his house last year. Didn’t expect much, but he ended up with enough for Eid biryani and a few jars of home packaged rice he gifted to relatives. He now sells mini gift packs during weddings .
Supported by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) publications.
Choosing & Preparing the Seeds for Rice Cultivation
You can’t just throw some old rice from your kitchen into the field. That rice has been polished and processed—it won’t sprout.
Steps:
- Buy quality seeds from a reliable shop, local agriculture office, or BRRI station.
- Test for viability: Put your seeds in a bucket of water and stir. Discard the floating ones—they’re likely hollow or damaged.
- Soak the seeds in clean water for 24 hours.
- Pre-germinate by wrapping them in a wet cloth or jute sack for another day or so. Tiny roots will start to appear.
Now your seeds are alive and ready.
Tip from experience: Sprinkle ash or turmeric powder on wet seeds—it helps prevent fungal infection during germination.
Should You Transplant or Direct Sow?
There are two ways to plant rice:
1. Direct sowing (beej fatie deya)
Just throw or drill the seeds straight into the field.
- Less labor
- More weeds, less control
2. Transplanting (roper dhan)
Grow seedlings in a nursery bed and move them to the main field later.
- Higher yield
- Better weed and water management
- More labor
What Most Do: Transplanting. It might take extra time, but the return is worth it. As Mina puts it, “I’d rather spend a week on the nursery than cry over a weedy field later.”
Nursery Bed Preparation for Rice Cultivation
If you’re transplanting, this is where it begins. Your seedlings will grow here for 3 to 4 weeks before moving to the field.
What You’ll Need:
- A clean patch of slightly raised land
- Cow dung or compost
- A watering can or simple irrigation pipe
Steps:
- Clear and level the land.
- Mix in compost or dry cow dung to enrich the soil.
- Sow your pre-germinated seeds evenly.
- Keep the bed moist, not soaked. Cover with a thin layer of straw to protect from birds and the hot sun.
Wait 25–30 days. Your seedlings should be about 6–8 inches tall. Then it’s time for the big move.
Preparing the Field for Rice Cultivation
Now to get the main field ready:
- Plow the land when the soil is still moist but not soggy.
- Flood it lightly to soften the clumps.
- Level the field with a board or spade. This helps keep the water evenly spread later.
- Build small embankments (al) around the edges to trap water.
This stage decides how well your rice will grow. The better the field is prepared, the fewer problems later.
Transplanting the Seedlings for Rice Cultivation
Gently uproot the seedlings from the nursery. Try not to damage the roots. Some people trim the roots and leaves a little before transplanting—it helps reduce stress.
Spacing:
- 2–3 seedlings per point
- About 20 cm apart
- Plant in rows for easier weeding later
After transplanting, flood the field slightly to settle the roots.
Watering: Not Too Much, Not Too Little
Yes, rice likes water—but not all the time. Here’s what works best:
| Stage | Water Depth |
|---|---|
| After transplant | 2–3 cm |
| Tillering (lots of new shoots) | 5–7 cm |
| Flowering | 5 cm |
| Maturity | Drain the field |
Avoid full time flooding unless your soil dries too fast. Controlled irrigation saves water and gives better results.
Reference: IRRI on water saving rice practices.
Weed Control
Weeds are your crop’s enemies. They take the nutrients and crowd the rice.
Tips:
- Weed the field at least twice: once around 2 weeks after transplanting, and again after a month.
- Use a simple hand hoe, a rotary weeder, or just your hands.
- Mulching with straw also helps reduce weeds.
Some use chemical herbicides, but if your plot is small, hand weeding is enough.
Mina’s trick: She uses leftover straw mulch from her cow barn blocks sunlight, suppresses weeds, and adds nutrients as it breaks down.
Protecting Against Pests & Diseases
A few pests and diseases that commonly show up:
| Problem | Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brown planthopper | Base of plant dries up | Avoid too much urea, drain water, use light pesticide |
| Stem borer | Center leaf turns yellow | Keep field clean, use pheromone traps or organic sprays |
| Leaf blast | Brown spots on leaves | Use resistant seed, avoid too much nitrogen, use fungicide if needed |
| Sheath blight | Lower part rots | Thin spacing, avoid overcrowding, keep dry during early stage |
Don’t panic if you see a few bugs. Not every insect is a problem. Check your plants daily and act early.
For comprehensive insights on rice diseases and their management, you may find my other article, Diseases of Rice
Harvesting: The Right Time Matters
When most of the grains (80–85%) have turned golden, your rice is ready to harvest.
Cut the stalks using a sickle or knife. Bundle and leave them to dry under the sun for a couple of days before threshing.
Threshing and Drying
After cutting, you need to separate the grain from the stalk.
Methods:
- Manual: Beat the bundles on a hard surface.
- Mechanical: Use a pedal or power thresher .
Dry the rice under the sun until it feels hard and breaks easily when bitten. Store when it’s fully dry—moist grains get moldy fast.
Storage Tips
- Use clean, dry bags jute or plastic
- Store in a cool, dry, rodent free place
- Mix some neem leaves or chili powder in the bag—it helps keep insects away
For long term storage, airtight containers are best.
Tips for Small Growers for Rice Cultivation
- You don’t need a paddy field—rice grows in tubs too .
- Try SRI method: use one seedling per point with wide spacing and less water
- Make your own compost to save money and enrich soil
- Try growing fragrant rice for personal use—it tastes better and has higher value
Simple Seasonal Calendar (Bangladesh Example)
| Task | Aman (Rain fed) | Boro (Irrigated) |
|---|---|---|
| Seed sowing | June–July | November–December |
| Transplanting | July–August | January |
| Weeding/Fertilizing | August–October | February–March |
| Harvesting | November–December | April–May |
Real Life Insight
Last year, my neighbor Rezaul tried SRI on just 2 decimals of land. With only one seedling per point, he got more tillers and healthier plants. He didn’t flood the field, just kept it moist. His final yield? Nearly 30% higher than the year before—and less water wasted.
Mistakes are part of the process. Don’t get discouraged. Even a small harvest will make you proud.
Summary Table for Rice Cultivation:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oryza sativa |
| Major Producing Countries | China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar |
| Climate Requirement | Warm, humid climate; optimal temperature 20–35°C |
| Soil Requirement | Fertile, clayey or loamy soil with good water retention |
| Water Requirement | 1,200–1,500 mm annually; prefers standing water during growth stages |
| Growing Seasons | Aus (pre-monsoon), Aman (monsoon), Boro (dry/winter with irrigation) in South Asia |
| Land Preparation | Ploughing, puddling, and leveling before transplanting |
| Seed Rate | 20–40 kg/ha (varies with direct seeding or transplanting) |
| Propagation Method | Direct seeding or nursery raising followed by transplanting |
| Fertilizer Needs | Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and micronutrients like Zinc |
| Irrigation | Continuous flooding in early stages; intermittent irrigation later |
| Weed Management | Manual weeding, mechanical weeders, or selective herbicides |
| Pest & Disease Management | Control stem borer, brown planthopper, blast, and bacterial leaf blight using IPM (Integrated Pest Management) |
| Harvesting Time | When grains are 80–85% mature; golden yellow color of panicles |
| Yield | 3–6 tons/ha (traditional varieties lower, hybrids higher) |
| Storage | Store at <14% grain moisture in cool, dry conditions to avoid pests/mold |
Final Thoughts
Every season is different. One year it might rain too much, another year there’s a drought. But rice teaches us to wait, watch, and adapt.
You’ll make mistakes—I’ve made plenty. But every mistake grows your wisdom. Don’t give up if your first try isn’t perfect. Even if you harvest just a few kilos from your yard, you’ll feel proud knowing you grew your own rice.
So get out there, get your hands muddy, and start planting. There’s nothing more satisfying than cooking and eating what you’ve grown with your own hands.
References
- Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)
– Official source for all BRRI dhan varieties, cultivation methods, and regional suitability. - IRRI – International Rice Research Institute
Rice Knowledge Bank .
– Comprehensive global guide on rice farming practices, pest management, irrigation, and post harvest tips. - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Rice production and climate resources
– Global data and insights on rice’s role in food security, climate resilience, and sustainability.
FAQ for Rice Cultivation
Yes, You don’t need a huge field. Rice grows well in tubs, buckets, or raised beds—as long as it has enough water and sunlight. Use short duration varieties like BRRI dhan48 or aromatic types like Kalijira for small spaces.
Even 1–2 decimals (40–80 square meters) of land can give you a small harvest—enough for a few family meals. One bigha of land can yield 800–1,200 kg of rice, depending on the variety and care.
No. Continuous flooding isn’t necessary. Modern methods like SRI (System of Rice Intensification) use less water by keeping the field moist, not fully submerged, and still give better yields.
For most beginners in Bangladesh or similar climates:
BRRI dhan28 – reliable, early harvest, good yield
BRRI dhan49 – works well in rain fed conditions
Chinigura/Kalijira – for small scale growers who want quality over quantity
Depending on the variety:
Short duration types: 90–110 days
Medium to long duration types: 120–150 days
Thesis Link : https://saulibrary.edu.bd/daatj/public/uploads/BAU200601_19-Pp_5.pdf
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