Between the end of April and the mid of May, it is the rice planting season. From 29 April to 5 May, we have four national holidays. Most of rice farmers work at a office or factory and they do farm works when off in this country. Now is, therefore, the best time for planting.
The lower back of this machine has four mechanical claws. One claw pulls off 4 to 5 young plants at one time from the tray set on the back and put them into the mud field.
Farmers sow rice in a plastic tray and grow them in a vinyl hothouse.
When young plants grow up to about 20cm, rice planting starts. Farmers take both the growth speed and the time of planting into consideration. Too short young plants are not strong enough against unexpected cold weather.
The operator just holds the steering wheel and runs the machine straight. More than 50 years ago, planting was made by the hands of many people. Many of them had suffered serious lower back pain.
Nowadays good water irrigation supports rice cultivation.
Each field has a gate on the watercourse. I like to hear the sound of water running out vigorously.
The water carries small fish in the field. One heron has been watching into the water carefully.
A field next has not been planted. This condition is good for a heron as fish have no place to hide.