Paneeri the Rice seedling is being developed by the side of maize for animals
On my recent trip to my native village, Badbar, I arrived just after the wheat crop had been harvested and sold. The fields that had recently yielded golden grain were now being prepared for the next important crop—rice.
Harvinder is almost blown away by stormy cold wind in the early morning.
This was the season for planting rice seedlings, locally known as Paneeri. During my stay, the process had just begun, and I had the opportunity to witness these tiny plants growing inch by inch with remarkable speed each day. It was fascinating to observe how nature transforms a handful of seeds into a lush green nursery within a matter of weeks.
A few days old Psneeri has started sprouting while we are laying underground pipeline for next level of irrigation.
A rice seedling is indeed called Paneeri in Punjab. These young plants are first raised in a small, nutrient-rich nursery bed where they are carefully nurtured for about 25 to 35 days. Once they attain the proper height and strength, they are gently uprooted and transplanted into flooded paddy fields. There, they continue their journey toward becoming mature rice plants that will eventually provide the staple food for millions.
The Paneeri is sprinting fast every day and I enjoy the cool morning breeze passing through green fields.
Standing in the fields of Badbar and watching the tender green Paneeri emerge from the soil was a reminder of the resilience and beauty of rural life. Just weeks earlier, these fields had carried a golden wheat harvest; now they were preparing to begin another cycle of growth, prosperity, and hope.
