1. Three weeks before transplanting, flood the field to soften the soil, plough to a depth of about 10 cm to incorporate all weeds and rice stubbles for proper decomposition; and fix dikes. 

2. Flood field after ploughing to prevent nitrogen 

loss from the soil to hasten decomposition of rice stubbles and weeds. 

3. Puddle the soil by harrowing after 5-7 days and keep the field flooded. 

4. Harrow and level field a day before the scheduled transplanting. 

5. Organic fertilizers (compost manure, etc) may be incorporated during the ploughing or harrowing operations. 

Land Preparation Method 

• Plough and harrow twice a week or two later when the rains are stable. 

• Remove stables and burry vegetation very well. 

• Level the field properly before seeding. 

• Mechanical tillage. 

For all Transplanted Rice 

·Plough the field with early rains 

·Puddle when there is sufficient water in the field and raise nursery at the same time. 

·Remove stables that did not rot and level properly for transplanting when the seedling are 21 days old. 

·If necessary created bunds across gradients dividing the field into sections. 

Advantages of Proper Land Preparation 

· Leveling = Improved Water Coverage in lowland and reduced erosion in upland. 

· Increase reliability of direct seeding (reduces labour by 30 person days) Reduces weeds up to 40% 

This to Note For direct seeded rice 

·Plough and harrow twice a week or later when the rains are stable ·Remove stables and burry vegetation very well. 

Level the field properly before seeding. 

For Transplanted Rice 

·Plough the field with early rains 

· Puddle when there is sufficient water in the field and raise nursery at the same time. 

· Remove stables that did not rote and level properly for transplanting when the seedlings are 21 days old. 

· If necessary create bunds across gradients dividing the field into sections.