We are well into rice planting season and the now all too familiar anxieties about the rain continue. After a disappointingly dry month of June, heavy rains fell as we entered July. The paddy fields filled up with water and local farmers were delighted to be able to plant their rice seedlings. However, after one week of good rainfall, the skies brightened and we had a barren fortnight, resulting in many rice fields drying out. Thankfully, more rain fell last week but it has been fitful and inconsistent, unlike the reliable monsoon seasons this area is used to. We at Sarnelli House have solar powered pumps in some areas of our farm so can keep some of our fields under a decent level of water and between the pumped water from our wells and the recent rainfall, we were finally able to plant this week. Or cast, in fact, as our farm manager Ms. Peh has learned that the rice seedlings will sink into watered fields the right way up should they remain attached to a sufficiently heavy piece of soil. The seedlings had been tenderly grown in large cardboard egg trays before being gently pulled out and readied for casting.
Our six newly arrived volunteers from Spain joined in to help the farm staff on the 12-rai patch of land around Fr. Mike’s house. Miss Peh explained the process to them and taught them about Thai rice and how they could help. The locals were very impressed by the foreigners’ efforts, all the more as they sang Spanish songs as they worked. They are obviously still on a high after winning the World Cup last weekend!
