ABSTRACT
This chapter offers guidance in assessing the rice production potential of an area, in selecting and undertaking steps to achieve that potential, and in maintaining the increased pace of rice production after it has been set. In areas where rice is the major agricultural commodity produced and sold, the district center probably would be located on flat land surrounded by extensive areas of lowland rice. The center of the farming district normally provides wholesale markets, a regional rice research facility, a central extension office, district banks, and communication links to the farming localities within the district. For rice production, the chances of success are the greatest where irrigation facilities already exist, where the topography is level, and where the soils are heavy textured with rather low permeability to water. Most rice farmers in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan use mechanical threshing equipment, often powered by electricity.
