Rice (paddy) farming guide: nursery, transplanting, water & harvest

Nursery

Raise seedlings in a well-prepared nursery bed with good, certified seed. A healthy 20–30 day nursery gives strong seedlings for transplanting. Treat seed before sowing to reduce disease.

Transplanting

• Transplant young, healthy seedlings into a well-puddled, levelled field.
• Maintain proper spacing between hills for good tillering.
• Transplant on time — very old seedlings reduce yield.

Water management

Paddy needs standing water at key stages, but continuous deep flooding is not always necessary. Alternate wetting and drying can save water without hurting yield in suitable soils. Keep enough water at flowering and grain-filling.

Pests, diseases and harvest

• Watch for stem borer, leaf folder, and blast/bacterial blight — use resistant varieties and recommended control.
• Harvest when about 80% of grains turn golden and the moisture is right.
• Dry the grain properly before storage to avoid losses.