Drainage in Asia (I) Rice-Based Farming in the Humid Tropics

摘要

South, Southeast and East Asia, extending from the west coast of India to Japan, covers about 15% of the world land surface, the population of this region is more than 50% of that of the world. Population density is roughly six times that of the restof the world, The population of South and Southeast Asia is predominately agricultural, mostly engaged in rice farming agriculture. Rice is still the staple food crop of 80% of the population in this region. The gifts of the Asian monsoon—high temperature and rainfall—provide good conditions to culture rice and paddy-based irrigation is most popular. Water is, however, the most serious constraint for rural development and agricultural food production. Cycles of too little and too much water, flood and drought, are continuously repeated every year. Adequate water management seems to be beyond the capacity of farmers themselves.