• Chose land which has not been used for rice production in the previous season
• Rice requires heavy soil for moisture retention
• Land chosen should have medium fertility (too fertile soils results in luxurious growth)
• Observe fallow period by ploughing or herbicides to clean the field
• Adequate source of water for irrigation

• Slashers, pangas, rake can be used to clear rice gardens
• Burning can also be applied but it is not recommended in wet areas

• To attain a reasonable depth
• To kill weeds by burying or cutting and exposing the roots
• Chop and incorporate crop residues
• Soil aeration and water accumulation; depending on the soil type and the plough.

• To control weeds and to facilitate pudding and levelling soil surface

This is in simple terms land leveling

• To destroy weeds to Facilitate leveling, Irrigation and transplanting
• Effective land leveling helps to;

1. Reduce the work in crop establishment and management
2. Better use of water and better weed control
3. These in turn increases yield and quality