Rice planting season has arrived

Dec, 20th 2022

I am very grateful that now we are entering the rice planting season again, some provinces in my country have already planted, entering the harvest season. For my area just entered rice planting again. So, the people around my area are busy managing the rice fields as well as I, who have one plot of rice fields, will plant rice on Thursday, some have already planted it. I will use the services of residents around my house to plant rice because it has become a hallmark of my area.

Planting rice is still manual

Even though the era has become sophisticated, everything uses mechanical power, but to plant rice in my area, I still use manual methods, namely using human power. We will hire several service people to plant rice around 4 to 7 people depending on the area of ​​paddy fields we have. And their services will be paid at the agreed rate. Those who plant our rice use the services of mothers. In addition, this can also add pocket money for them to meet their daily needs.

Planting this rice can last 1 day from morning to evening.

The custom of growing rice in my area

According to the custom of growing rice in my area from the beginning (rice planting) to the end (harvest season). Following are the traditions after the rice harvest and before the rice planting season arrives. Some people still use this custom :

• The distance between the harvest season and planting rice

If in the past the time when people planted rice with harvests was up to 1 year long, now the gap between empty paddy fields is around 4 months. At that time the rice fields were left empty and people were free to let livestock such as oxen, buffaloes and goats graze freely. Meanwhile for young people who like to fly kites, this season there are lots of people playing kites and sometimes having competitions. During that season, the rice fields adjacent to the village are used by people to plant young crops (palawija) such as long beans, fruits such as watermelons, onions, corn, green beans and various other vegetable crops.

• Rice field party

The rice field festival is a tradition that has been around for a long time and this has been passed down from generation to generation and has been maintained until now. The rice field party is carried out before going down to the fields or planting rice. The rice field party cooking activities together in the rice fields providing various local specialties, including chicken, fish, eggs, cooking curry vegetables, etc. Then continue the prayer to hope for blessings from Allah, hopefully the harvest will be abundant, continue to eat with the villagers, the purpose is to strengthen togetherness between the residents as a form of gratitude for the presence of the rice planting season again.

This rice field party is held 2 times a year because rice is planted 2 times before once a year.

Final thought

We are grateful for the services the farmers have for us. the meaning of farmers can open our eyes wide that farming is a noble profession. We must appreciate the efforts of the farmers in pursuing their work. The reason is, the profession of farmer is often sidelined or underestimated.

Not only growing food for humans and animals, but also growing other things like flowers and nursery plants.

Agriculture and what farmers do is an important part of the life cycle. Without them, we will not be able to enjoy the dishes served at the dinner table.

However, in the modern and technological era like today, the profession of farmer no longer attracts much attention from young people or the current generation. Not to mention, agricultural lands are increasingly narrow due to industrialization.

"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because in the end, it will contribute most to true wealth, good morals, and happiness." - Thomas Jefferson

We are proud to have them. Hope it is useful.