Rice farming in Mississippi delta

Since 1942, rice production has been of considerable importance in the Mississippi Delta area.

In the early 1970s, the federal government relaxed controls on the area planted to rice and the area planted in Mississippi more than doubles within two years.

In recent year rice production has risen in North America, especially in the Mississippi River Delta in the states of Arkansas and Mississippi. For the last 10 years (2003-2012), an acre planted to rice in Mississippi has averaged 220,000 per year.

In Mississippi, agriculture is an importance industry and its economy is generated by rice production.

Rice is a semiaquatic crop and is adapted to growing in flooded soil conditions. It is direct seeded in United States (drilled, broadcast or water seeded) in contrast to transplanting, which predominates in Asia. Mississippi delta utilize drill-seeding for planting. Producers in this area have farm drying facility lowering total average commercial drying cost.

Economical production of rice generally requires high average temperatures during the growing season, a plentiful supply of water applied in a timely fashioned, a smooth land surface with less than 1% slope to facilitate uniform flooding and drainage, and a subsoil hardpan that inhibits percolation of water.

Rice is an importance crop in Mississippi accounting for more than USD100 million yearly in production value. And around half of the Mississippi production is exported to Mexico, Guatemala and other Central and South American countries.
Rice farming in Mississippi delta