INTRODUCTION

RICE PRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Rice is one of the important cereal crops. It forms part of the staple food in rice production areas and in urban centers. It is an important cash earner to farmers in production areas and players in the value chain. It is also an export crop.

Production of Rice

• Rice is grown as rain-fed as well as irrigated. Under rain-fed, rice can be grown in lowland as well as upland areas
• Under irrigated conditions, the scheme should be designed for rice production because rice requires a lot of water. Examples of irrigation schemes that grow rice are Hara, Bua, Lifuwu, Wovwe, Likangala, Domasi, Nkhate etc. Examples of areas that grow rain-fed upland rice are Mchinji, Mzimba and Chitipa
• Rice does well in soils with good water retention capacity and with high amounts of clay and organic matter.
• Climate Smart Agriculture can assist to produce sustainable production of this crop.