The rice paddy

I wrote about the visit to the place where yangmei were farmed. Yangmei were not the only crops grown, and it was fascinating to walk through the farm and see what else was growing. Farmers in China outnumber all other workers, and the farms are everywhere, and right now along side the roads the farmers are tending their rice paddies , ready to plant the next crop. It is easy to get the impression that the Chinese will grow anything on any small corner of earth they can get access to, and the farms are very small by western standards. One essential element for these rice paddies is water - and they slosh around in bare feet tending the rice.

The farming family work day and night, 7 days a week for a pittance of an income, but they are a crucial part of the food source for Chinese people. Rice of course is one of their main foods.

It is seldom that one gets close to the farms as usually we are whizzing by in a bus, taxi, or train. No time to stop, and no where to stop. Consequently I treasure the opportunity to visit the village.

As well as yangmei, there were many other crops. Rice, pumpkins, corn,peaches, beets, apples and lots more. Some I could not identify.

The people work long hours, but seem happy. Families work together,crops are rotated, and so on. It is rare to see farm animals. Pigs, chickens and ducks are usually housed in fenced areas away from the houses. If one listens carefully one can hear a hen loudly announcing she has produced another egg!

Another great Chinese experience.

This time of year is rice planting time - although they do seem to plant at other times,and some rice fields are being prepared, while others are growing. It is a dirty muddy business, with the men and women in bare feet, with their pants rolled up to the ankles or higher, in water that is sometimes calf high, hoeing in the water, or planting the rice.

The rice stalks from the previous harvests are kept and used for all sorts of things. They are spread under the yangmei tree for example so that the fruit are protected when they fall, and easily seen among the stalks. When food for pigs and cows is expensive they will eat the rice stalks. They are used for fires in winter too. Very useful!