Rice is a starch rich grain that is a part of a wide population across the globe. Oryza sativa is the most popular Asian rice that has high production & cultivation across the globe. Main there are two rice varieties:
- Indica – The one with longer grains, they are low in starch & have high dry matter.
- Japonica – The one with shorter grains.
Moreover, of all rice cultivars, the high grain rice variety has a high economic return. Cultivation of rice requires a wet environment, waterlogged fields, enough sunshine and followed by hot & humid weather conditions.
Interested in pursuing cultivation practices of rice? Let’s help you unveil what agro-factors are important to consider to grow the best quality, high yielding rice variety. Following that, we will also help you understand how much cost you need to incur and how much profit you can make.
Let’s now go through the steps of rice cultivation, right from seeding till post harvesting process.
Technical Factors Required to Sow, Grow & Harvest Rice Crops
1. Climatic Conditions
Rice is suitable for growing in hot, humid regions with abundant water and enough sun exposure. Throughout the crop cycle, the ideal temperature between 20 degrees to 40 degrees C is highly suitable for growing these crops. Moreover, at maximum, the weather shouldn’t exceed 42 degrees C. Otherwise, the crops will get damaged and restrict further growth.
Furthermore, these crops are suitable to grow at an altitude as high as 3000 m (above sea level).
2. Land Preparation for rice cultivation
For land preparation, the following steps are important
- For the initial preparation of the land, ploughing of the land thoroughly is very important. But before you start ploughing, make sure to flood the field 1 to 2 days before starting ploughing. Keep the field surface covered with water.
- During the time of puddling, maintain a water depth of up to 2.5 cm.
- In case of complete paddy soils, suppress the soil with a stone roller of 400 kg when there is a proper moisture level of about 13 to 18%.
Sow seeds at the depth of 2–3 cm, while keeping the distance between the rows of about 8–10 inches or 20–25 cm.
3. Soil Requirement
Rice can grow well in clay or clay loams. These soils are suitable as they can hold the water for a long time which is helpful in sustaining the crop. Since rice is a semi-aquatic crop, it requires enough water so that the crop submerges.
Soils with rich amounts of clay and organic matter are ideal as they can hold onto the water for long.
4. Seed Rate & Treatment
The ideal seed rate by the broadcasting method is 90-100 kg/ha, and in the case of the dibbling method, the suitable seed rate is 70-75 kg/ha. Reject the seeds that float on the common salt solution.
Moreover, to prevent seed-borne diseases, seeds should be treated via 100 gm Agrosan in 50 kg of seeds.
Choose the best quality rice transplanter that is worth buying.
5. Irrigation & Watering
Rice needs irrigation right after planting depending on if the irrigation is prevalent. Immediate watering helps with:
- Better seed germination
- Growth of seedling
- Early season growth of crops
While cultivating rice grains, you would need to maintain a water level of 1500-2500 mm. For direct sowing varieties, you would need less water than transplanting varieties. Perform irrigation activities at the interval of 7-8 days in case of direct sowing varieties.
Tips to Earn Great Profits through Rice Cultivation!
6. Fertilisers & Nutrients
A mix of manure and chemical fertilisers in a good ratio can help achieve good growth & yield. Ensure the quantity of chemical fertilisers in the following quantities:
| Compost/Farmyard Manure | 10-15 cartloads |
| Phosphorus | 50-60 kg/ha |
| Nitrogen | 100-150 Kg/ha |
| Zinc Sulphate | 25 kg/ha |
| Potash | 40-50 kg/ha |
| Green Crops Manuring | Dhainacha, Moong Urad, Sanai |
7. Harvesting & Yield
For early medium varieties, harvesting is done from 26 to 30 days from flowering. And for tall varieties, the harvesting is done from 36 to 40 days from the flowering stage. Rice grain is ready to harvest when the moisture content is reduced to about 20-25%.
Yield from Rice Cultivation
Yields from rice can vary based on factors like cultivation method, soil type, agri-management practices, etc. With right agriculture practices, you can achieve an average yield up to 2500 kg/ha.
Estimated Profits from Rice Cultivation in India:
60 quintals is the average yield for rice grain from an acre of land. The market price of rice is Rs 50 (however, it varies based on variety, quality & market). Farmers can earn a net revenue of up to Rs 3, 00,000. And furthermore, after subsiding the costs, they can take home an average profit of Rs 52,850.
Top Methods of Rice Cultivation in India
Rice grains are cultivable through 4 main methods as following:
- Drilling Method
- Transplantation Method
- Broadcasting Method
- Japanese Method
Leading Rice Producing States in India
In India, the following states have the ideal land and climatic conditions suitable for methods of cultivation of rice:
- West Bengal
- Uttar Pradesh
- Andhra Pradesh
- Punjab
- Telangana
- Orissa
- Bihar
- Assam
- Haryana
- Tamil Nadu
- Kerala
Check – Government policies and future scope of rice market in India!
Final Thoughts!
By adopting the above technical factors and choosing rice cultivation methods, farmers can grow high-yielding rice grains in any part of the country. Guven, the country should receive enough sunlight, have hot & humid temperatures and supply substantial water to flood the field.
Moreover, by investing a sum of Rs 7396, you can earn an average rice cultivation profit of Rs 52,850. In addition to that, just ensure you invest in effective farm machinery like tractors and implements of various types.
If you are confused about which tractor is worth buying, try this easy, effortless tractor comparison tool to make the right selection.
Frequently Asked Questions on Rice Cultivation in India
Que. Who introduced a new method of rice cultivation?
Ans. It was Ahoms who introduced a new cultivation method for rice.
Que. What is Sri method of rice cultivation?
Ans. The SRI method of rice cultivation is done via the use of organic manure as much as possible.
Que. Which soil is best for rice cultivation?
Ans. Clay or clay loams having good water retention properties are ideal for the rice cultivation process in India.
Que. Rice is which kind of crop?
Ans. Rice is a Kharif paddy crop that requires a temperature between 25 °C to 40 °C with high humidity and annual rainfall above 100 cm. Rice is native to plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and the deltaic regions.
Que. Which country leads the black rice cultivation in India?
Ans. West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Manipur are the biggest producers of black rice in India.
Que. What climate is best for the cultivation of rice crops?
Ans. A hot and humid climate with an average temperature of 20º C to 42º C is suitable for cultivating rice crops.
Que. Which are the main cultivators of rice cultivation in Assam?
Ans. Sali (winter rice), Boro (summer) and Bao (deepwater rice), Ahu (autumn) are the popular cultivars of rice grown in Assam.
Que. Where is most rice cultivation in Odisha done?
Ans. Bargarh district of Odisha is the leading producer of rice.
Que. What are the types of rice cultivation in India?
Ans. Broadcasting, drilling, transplantation and the Japanese method of rice cultivation are popular in India.
Que. How much in annual production from rice cultivation in West Bengal?
Ans. The average annual production of rice in West Bengal is 15.57 million metric tonnes.
Que. Which is the leading district with maximum rice cultivation in Himachal Pradesh?
Ans. Chhohara Valley, Rohru district in Shimla, is the leading producer of rice in Himachal Pradesh.
Que. Which districts lead the rice cultivation in Kerala?
Ans. Palakkad and Alappuzha are the popular rice-producing districts of Kerala.
Que. How much is the land used for rice cultivation in Punjab?
Ans. In Punjab, the Paddy crop under the Kharif crop (June-Oct) is grown over 87% of the total area.
Que. How much is the crop area for rice cultivation in Manipur?
Ans. In Manipur, there is a 20,500-ha crop area for cultivation.
Que. What is a broadcasting method of rice cultivation?
Ans. In a broadcasting method for rice cultivation, the field is prepared to maintain optimum soil moisture to sow paddy or non-basmati seeds immediately.
Que. Which states are popular for basmati rice cultivation in India?
Ans. J & K, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh are leading producers of basmati rice in India.
Que. Who developed the dapog method of rice cultivation?
Ans. This method prepares a dense stand of seedlings where there is no direct contact with soil.
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