Rice Cultivation

Rice Cultivation: A Simple Guide from Soil to Supper

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.

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:

1. Buy quality seeds from a reliable shop, local agriculture office, or BRRI station.
2. Test for viability: Put your seeds in a bucket of water and stir. Discard the floating ones—they’re likely hollow or damaged.
3. Soak the seeds in clean water for 24 hours.
4. 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.

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

In our region, most farmers prefer transplanting. It takes more effort but gives better results.

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:

1. Clear and level the land.
2. Mix in compost or dry cow dung to enrich the soil.
3. Sow your pre-germinated seeds evenly.
4. 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:

1. Plow the land when the soil is still moist but not soggy.
2. Flood it lightly to soften the clumps.
3. Level the field with a board or spade. This helps keep the water evenly spread later.
4. 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:

Avoid full-time flooding unless your soil dries too fast. Controlled irrigation saves water and gives better results.

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.

Protecting Against Pests & Diseases

A few pests and diseases that commonly show up:

Don’t panic if you see a few bugs. Not every insect is a problem. Check your plants daily and act early.

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)

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

1. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)
   – Official source for all BRRI dhan varieties, cultivation methods, and regional suitability.
2. IRRI – International Rice Research Institute
   Rice Knowledge Bank .
   – Comprehensive global guide on rice farming practices, pest management, irrigation, and post-harvest tips.
3. 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

1. Can I grow rice in my backyard or containers?

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.

2. How much land do I need to grow rice for home use?

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.

3. Do I have to flood the field all the time?
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.

4. What’s the best rice variety for beginners?

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

5. How long does it take to grow rice?
Depending on the variety:
Short-duration types: 90–110 days
Medium to long-duration types: 120–150 days

6. Is chemical fertilizer necessary?
Not always. Organic options like compost, cow dung, and liquid manure can work well—especially for small farms. But balanced nutrients (N-P-K-S) are important for healthy growth, whether from organic or inorganic sources.

7. When is the right time to harvest rice?
When 80–85% of the grains in the panicles have turned golden and the leaves begin to dry, your rice is ready. If you harvest too early or too late, you may lose grain weight or quality.

8. Can I grow rice without pesticides?
Yes. You can use organic pest control methods like neem oil spray, garlic extract, and crop rotation. Also, planting resistant varieties and spacing plants properly helps prevent disease and pest buildup.

9. Why are my rice plants turning yellow?
A few common reasons:
Nitrogen deficiency
Water stress
Fungal diseases like leaf blast
Aging natural yellowing near harvest is normal

10. Where can I get training or help?
You can contact:
Your local agricultural officer
Visit BRRI or DAE field offices
Watch YouTube channels like Krishi Dibanishi or IRRI Education
Join Facebook groups for Bangladeshi farmers or home gardeners