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Why do rice fields need to be drained before harvest?
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Cereal farming
Combine harvesting wheat.
Rice fields must be drained and dried before harvesting primarily to facilitate the use of machinery and ensure the quality of the grain.12
When modern equipment such as combine harvesters or binder threshers are employed, the fields must be drained to allow for efficient operation. Furthermore, the grain itself must be dried to approximately 14 percent moisture content to prevent deterioration during storage. In regions where the soil is composed of soft clays or silts, draining the fields also allows the ground to harden, which is necessary for successful harvesting procedures.12