Sloshing, bear-foot through ankle deep mud, bundle of rice seedlings in one hand, planting seedlings with my other, I try to keep pace with the much more seasoned Lao rice planters. "No, this is my first time planting rice," I say to the surprised villager who asks. I thought the slowness of my planting technique gave me away...but perhaps others are being polite.
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| Line of Planters |
The line of 40 people move quickly through the paddy field planting rice seedlings left and right. This year the agriculture team decided to begin the planting season's activities by inviting advisers and partners from the district as well as the entire MCC Tha Thom office to plant rice together in Phonchaleurn Village.
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| Collecting the Rice Seedlings |
Planting the 20-day old seedlings isn't difficult, but is hard on the back as a person must bend over constantly while planting. There are many techniques in growing rice, but the way MCC teaches is using a single seedling (or 1-3 seedling) method. Planting fewer seedlings together and using a more stringent control of water levels can result in a better yield.
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| More Planting |
As we finish planting and head back to the village meeting house for lunch, I comment to a district colleague, "In my village there are no paddy fields. Most people don't eat rice." I then say with a smile, "they plant potatoes, corn and bread!"
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