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In "Isaan", Thailand's Rural North Eastern region, the main activity is rice farming. For generations, this region known for its warm and cheerful people, has produced the world famous Thai Jasmine Rice. One of the poorest regions of Thailand Isaan still produces most of Thailand's rice crop. This feature documents the whole "Rice Cycle" from ploughing to harvesting in a small village close to Nakon Ratchasima...

Farmers using ploughing machines to prepare the soil for sowing. Nowadays most villages use machines rather than buffaloes. © Cedric Arnold

A farmer preparing the land for sowing. © Cedric Arnold

A farmer preparing the land for sowing. © Cedric Arnold

After sowing, the rice is left to grow until it is long enough for casting. Casting involves transferring the rice sprouts into a flooded rice paddy and replanting them as even rows. © Cedric Arnold

Batches of rice sprouts ready to be transferred into the fields . © Cedric Arnold

A couple pose holding batches of rice sprouts. © Cedric Arnold

A farmer transferring rice sprouts into a field. This is called casting. In Thailand, hand casting is preferred, in order to produce even rows of rice plants. © Cedric Arnold

Farmers transfering rice sprouts into a field © Cedric Arnold

© Cedric Arnold

L: An elderly man making fish traps form bamboo in a bamboo grove R: A farmer brings a water buffalo back to his village... © Cedric Arnold

Once the casting is completed the rice is left to grow for the next 3 to 4 months and turn light brown.During that period, the rice field remains flooded. Morning dew in a rice field © Cedric Arnold

L: A child plays on a cow R: A farmer resting after a long day working in the fields during harvest. © Cedric Arnold

Once the casting is completed the rice is left to grow for the next 3 to 4 months and turn light brown. © Cedric Arnold

After the drained field is completely dry, and the plants turn to hay color, it is time for the harvest. © Cedric Arnold

Once harvested the rice grains are separated from the stems and put into bags. Although this is nowadays done by machines to ensure the whole crop is collected the finnishing toutches are done by hand. © Cedric Arnold

Celebrating the end of the harvest with home made "sato" a sweet rice wine....© Cedric Arnold

Once harvested the rice grains are separated from the stems and put into bags. Once the bags are full they are loaded onto trucks bound for the whole country and beyond. © Cedric Arnold  

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