rice cultivation

Japanese Name

いなさく

inasaku

Description

Rice farming, also called rice cultivation, is the process of growing rice plants in fields called paddies, which are often flooded with water. It is an important agricultural practice in many countries, especially in Asia, providing a staple food for billions of people.

Rice cultivation began in China more than 8,000 years ago and spread to Japan around the Yayoi period (300 BCE–300 CE). Early Japanese farmers developed irrigation systems and wet-rice paddies, which allowed rice to become the main staple of the Japanese diet and a foundation of society.
Rice farming has deeply influenced Japanese culture, economy, and festivals, and it remains essential in Japan today, both as a food source and a cultural symbol.