🌾 Season of Paddy Plantation – A
Lifeline of India
As the
monsoon rains sweep across India, the countryside comes alive with one of the
most crucial agricultural practices—paddy cultivation. Rice, grown in flooded
fields called paddies, is not just a crop but the foundation of food security
and livelihood for millions across Asia.
On a recent
road journey, I paused to watch a group of women peasants in Jharkhand,
gracefully bending over in rhythm with the rain, transplanting young rice
seedlings into the fields. Their swift hands moved through the mud while their
voices rose together in traditional rain songs. The sight was so captivating
that I could not resist capturing it through the lens of my beloved camera.
Despite their hard labor, they welcomed me with warm smiles, allowing me to
preserve this timeless bond between farmers, rain, and the soil.
While cities
grapple with waterlogging and floods during the monsoon, rural landscapes
transform into lifelines of green, as paddy cultivation continues in full
swing.
🌱 Process of Paddy Cultivation
- Land Preparation: Fields are ploughed, and weeds
are removed, often with the help of buffaloes or tractors. - Soil Fertility: Organic manure enriches the
soil. - Flooding the Field: A shallow layer of water (2–5
cm) is maintained before sowing or transplanting. - Planting Methods: Farmers either transplant
nursery-grown seedlings or directly sow seeds into the fields. - Field Maintenance: Balanced water management,
fertilizers, and weed control ensure healthy growth.
🌾 Harvesting
After nearly
three months, when the crop ripens and turns golden, the fields are drained.
The rice stalks are harvested, threshed, and the humble grains—nourishment for
millions—are separated.
🌍 Importance of Rice
- Paddy thrives in warm, humid
climates, making India ideal for rice cultivation. - West Bengal, the “Rice Bowl of
India,” leads the country in production, followed by Uttar Pradesh. - India and China together produce
nearly half of the world’s rice.
🍚 Health Benefits of Rice
- Brown Rice: Rich in fiber, protective
against chronic diseases, and a staple in Kerala. - White Rice: Easily digestible, restores
energy, and replenishes glycogen after physical exertion. - Helps maintain a healthy weight
and remains a vital part of balanced diets worldwide.
From Nellu
in Tamil, Chor in Malayalam, Bhatta in Kannada, to Chawal
in Hindi—rice is more than food; it is culture, tradition, and identity.
Watching
those women in the Jharkhand fields reminded me that every grain of rice on our
plate carries a story—of patience, resilience, and harmony with nature.
📸 Text & Photo by – Ashok Karan
🔗 ashokkaran.blogspot.com
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#MonsoonMagic #RuralIndia #RiceCultivation #FarmersOfIndia #JharkhandDiaries
#SustainableFarming #AshokKaranPhotography
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