Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Real organic rice


The original and real organic rice come from the natives (orang asli) deep inside the jungle. Only a small area in Peninsula Malaysia is still being utilized by the native to cultivate hill rice. With modernization and better road and availability of motorcycles many of those villages nearby town no longer practice this really labour intensive cultivation. It is basically a slash and burn cultivation - using only parang(machete) to cut the trees and bamboos.

The planting season starts in July/Aug every year and by Sept the land is cleared and burned. Planting is in September and harvesting is around January. The padi will be cut/harvest by hand and the husk remove by manual pounding in a wooden mortar. Dried padi can be stored for 2-3 years but most of the time it can't last that long as the asli community is a very caring group. The poor and hungry will be help with the rice.
Crystal clear water

A special sign - split tree

Nearly burned and ready for planting, beyond the hills lies Bertam Valley, Cameron Hlands.

Another view

Young rice plants


Asli beauty

School holiday time