The basic rule is to drain the water from the rice field about 10 days before the rice harvest.
But the best time can change depending on the field and the weather.
A dry field
If the field drains water easily, draining it too early can cause the rice grains to crack.
In this case, it may be better to drain the field about 7 days before harvest, or give it a little water from time to time until closer to harvest.
A wet field
If the field holds a lot of water and stays muddy, the water should be drained earlier, about 10 to 14 days before harvest.
This helps the soil become firm enough for a combine harvester to work properly.
The important thing
There is no single perfect day for every rice field.
Farmers need to check how wet or dry the soil is and what the weather will be like over the next few days.
The goal is to find the right balance:
Keep the rice healthy, while making the field firm enough for harvest.
That is why draining the water is not simply a matter of counting the days.
It is also a matter of watching the field and reading the weather.