Rice is a staple food around the world, but we rarely consider its production. A new documentary takes us through a day in the life of a rice farmer to show us the complex and laborious process involved in harvesting this essential grain.
The film opens with a glimpse of rural agriculture as we follow the steps taken in producing our food, from the sowing of seeds to their growth in soil fertilized by natural compost, and finally the harvest which ends up on our plates. We get to see first-hand how connected all parts of the system are and how many people are involved in bringing rice to our stores.
The film follows one family’s journey from planting to harvesting season, showing us not just how backbreaking it is for these farmers but also how vital their work is for society. We learn that traditional farming methods are more sustainable than modern ones even if they do require much more effort and time from farmers. The documentary also highlights the economic disparities between different countries when it comes to access to resources and fairer wages for those working under difficult conditions.
This documentary offers an eye-opening look at how hard farmers must work – often with little recognition – to provide us with such an integral part of our diet. It encourages us to be more mindful about where our food comes from and think twice about what we put on our plates every day. If you want to gain insight into this crucial link between nature and human civilization, then this film is definitely worth watching.