Sophia and Mr Joe drove us into rural China to visit farming in rice paddies. As our visit happened in early spring we were fortunate to witness farmers preparing soil or planting rice for the coming growing period. Rice is grown here mainly in the river valleys but we also witnessed terraced farming.
A view from the hill tops (Karsts) of the rice paddies in the valley
A concrete road between the paddies leading to the village.
Rice paddies having been prepared for planting are now flooded.
A farmer using water buffalo to plough the field.
A view of the many fields stretching along the valley.
The water buffalo strains to pull the plough through the soil.
Rice seedlings have been planted on the left while the right side
of the field awaits planting.
The various stages of rice growing in this area.
The changing face of rural China as electrical power towers
cross the rice paddies.
Rice seed has been planted in the plastic tunnels.
and now awaits transplanting in the paddy.
are ready to be transplanted in the paddy.
An irrigation channel dug by the farmer.
A permanent concrete channel used for irrigation.
Sometimes farmers are able to purchase motorised ploughs.
Farming is a full-on occupation.
A young water buffalo.
One of the local villagers tending the young buffalo.
