The rains have been inconsistent all year and as a result, we planted our rice late, more in hope than expectation. We scattered the rice this year, which meant more weeding to be done at the back end of the process. However, much of the crop grew tall and strong, certainly more than we anticipated. Last week, the children had a day off school so spent the morning on the 12 rai to help harvest and bundle the rice stalks for the thresher.
The rice will be stored, unmilled, in our granary and the stalks and husks will be used for animal feed and for our organic fertiliser. The kids had great fun in the dry paddy fields. They love working outdoors and ate their lunch together in the sala next to Fr. Mike's house. Then they all had a much deserved afternoon off!