Planting Rice

Yesterday I went out to Mr Rekha's house to plant rice. It was a really good day although I wasn't very good at it. The team was Rekha, his wife, sisters and brother in law and Hanna, our volunteer at Chumkriel.

Kampot Province is facing a very serious problem this year as there has been an endemic disease affecting a very large proportion of the rice already planted. As I understand it there has been an insect infestation that has destroyed about 80% of the fields. Although the Government has intervened by providing an insecticide, in the majority of cases it is too late. It is really awful to see so many rice paddies around Kampot looking withered and yellow.

Rekha will only get rice from two of his eight paddies this year. The economic impact in the area is going to be significant and I believe the price of rice has increased.

Here are some pictures of us planting in the paddy.







A cow looked on critically.


Here is Rekha planting




And here's me (do you like my 101 Dalmations shorts ?)



After completing the first field in the morning we retire for a delicious lunch back at the house.