How to cultivate a paddy
Rice is our staple food; hence paddy is very important for us as Sri Lankans. Rice is consumed by nearly all families regularly; hence it has become an essential part of Sri Lankan culture and food. My father was a farmer, so he possessed a large paddy field, so we learned about the cultivation of rice from an early age. I joined with my siblings to work in the paddy fields.
I remember my father first preparing a seedbed before planting paddy. He first set aside a small plot of land for seedbeds, then leveled it and supplied water. He ensured that the land was moist and fertile, allowing the seeds to grow into healthy plants. The seeds were then placed in water for two days to help in their rapid germination. He then scattered the seeds over the seedbed.
Next, my father plowed the field to prepare the soil and make it muddy, as plowing allows air and water to travel smoothly and promotes plant growth. He then removed weeds and unwanted plants. Finally, he levels the field again to ensure that each plant receives an equal amount of water and nutrients.
My father instructed us that planting rice seeds at the right time is essential to gain a good harvest. Because rice needs specific weather conditions to grow, he planted it in two seasons: Maha Kanna and Yala Kanna. He prevented his crops from pests and diseases by cultivating rice at the right time.
I remember my father considered the length of the growing season when deciding when to plant. It is because if he planted on time, he could harvest before bad weather like heavy rains or droughts. He further said cultivating plants in proper time helps to get better harvest because enough water, sunlight, and nutrients are needed to grow healthy.
Moreover he used to irritate them regularly after growing rice seeds. Rice grows best in flooded fields; thus the soil should be thoroughly damp. My father turned water from canals that run near our field; otherwise, the plant's growth could be harmed. If the water level is not maintained at the proper level, his growth will be impacted greatly. When the rice plant began to grow, my father gradually reduced the amount of water to avoid flooding the fields.
He applied fertilizer in stages to provide essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. The first stage of does was given to the plant at the beginning to help it develop strong. The next stage of does is given in the middle of the season to boost flowering and grain formation. The final dose is given as harvest approaches to increase the size and quality of the grain. He employed organic fertilizers such as compost to enhance the soil.
According to my father, one huge pest is the brown planthopper, which sucks sap from rice plants, causing them to dry up. Another common pest is the rice stem borer, which causes stem damage and weakens the plant. Snails and rats, which consume young plants and grains, create a problem.
He used a variety of strategies to control the pests and diseases. He employed chemical pesticides and fungicides without causing harm to the environment. He also introduced natural predators, such as birds and beneficial insects.
At the end of the season, he got a good harvest and kept some for us while selling the rest to the market. Anyway, I can say that my father was a very successful farmer because he was able to harvest a good production. In addition to farming, he worked as a part-time vehicle buyer and seller. That is how he earned the money to pay for our well-being.
Your post has been rewarded by the Seven Team.
Support partner witnesses
We are the hope!
I don't know why, but my first association with Paddy is like that :)))
Thank you very much for the support.