Rice Farming Business

Rice is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. It is consumed by more than half of the world's population. In the US, rice farming is a large scale operation. Are you interested in the commercial growing of rice?

Rice is consumed as staple food by more than half of the world's population, mostly in Asia and Africa.

It is one of the most widely grown crops in the world next to corn and wheat. Rice is consumed directly or processed to make products like beer, cereal, rice cakes and pet foods. The most commonly grown varieties in the world are glutinous rice, aromatic rice, japonica and indica (accounts for more than half of rice produced globally).

Rice Farming in the U.S.

Rice needs plenty of water and high average temperature to grow. As such rice growing is limited only to certain areas where these conditions are met. In the US, it is grown in Arkansas and in certain areas in Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Louisiana, and California. Rice varieties produced in the U.S. are categorized as long, medium or short grained. Each region specializes in producing one of these types of rice. For example, the South specializes in producing long-grained rice, which constitutes the bulk of the U.S. production.

Rice production in the U.S. is costly, partly due to high irrigation requirements. Fuel and fertilizer expenses also factor high in production costs. Rice farming in the U.S. is most often pursued as a large-scale operation with seeding and insecticide spraying done aerially. Planting varies by region and runs from March through mid-May. Harvest starts early or mid-July, peaking in September and ending in early November depending on the area. A second harvest is possible from the cuttings of the first by reflooding the farm and regrowing the stubble of the first crop.

U.S. Market for Rice

U.S. rice farmers sell half of their produce in the local market and half in the international market. It supplies long-grained rice to the European Union countries and rough-rice to Central America. Locally, it supplies rice seeds and whole-kernel milled rice. One domestic demand that U.S. rice farmers have yet to meet is the demand for aromatic varieties that can compete with Asian varieties in terms of quality. Currently, the demand for aromatic rice like jasmine and basmati rice is met by importation. The demand is expected to increase as the population of ethnic groups that consume rice increase.

In general, rice farming in the U.S. is a high-yielding project. But profitability in international markets continues to be constrained by factors such as strong competition with Asian countries that produce rice at a lower cost. This is critical as the country relies heavily on global markets for rice for its sales. Added to the constrain in profitability is the high cost of fuel, fertilizer and of irrigating ricelands.
 

33 Comments

  • Lucy Gitau said on January 21, 2010
    I'm interested in rice farming and export of the same, i come from an area where it is easily available and in plenty. i'm based in Nairobi, kenya but my farm is in Central Kenya. Please advice, Thank you .
  • Mamie Ndawah-Massaquoi said on April 17, 2010
    I am trying to start a rice production business in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I need some help in how to get started and looking for any organization that could sponsor my project. I was born and raised in Sierra Leone, but I am now stationed in the United Stationed.
  • Gonzalez Momoh Juana said on April 21, 2010
    I am a private student at Delta College, CA, USA. want to major on Agriculture Business and Management, interested in rice farming in Sierra Leone. Please help.
  • Weemor Randolph said on August 18, 2010
    I want to start a rice production business in Liberia and I need advice.
  • kate said on August 24, 2010
    I want to start a rice farm business in one of the provinces of the Philippines and I need advice. Thank You!
  • B Richardson said on October 7, 2010
    I am from the Carribean living in the US now lives is West Africa and you like to Start a Rice , Poultry farm and Fishing business..mainly to help the local people
  • T. Ajayi said on November 27, 2010
    I want to start crop production in south west region of Nigeria, with tropical rain forest. I need an advice on requirements. thanks
  • Timothy B. Talmadge said on December 24, 2010
    I'm living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. If anyone wants to invest in sugarcane, cassava, rice, or rubber tree plantations I know a Cambodian firm that can help you manage the farm. For more details, please contact me at tim_talmadge@yahoo.com . Thanks.
  • Gagan Sharma said on January 14, 2011
    I have a large cultivable land in western India. I am interested in farming and export of best quality rice and seek your advice for the same. Thanks.
  • festo kiswaga said on February 15, 2011
    i have a rice farm in southern part of tanzania. my problem is; i have no enough fund for purchasing equipment for the project to develop ,i need your help. thank you. kiswga
  • Rick Mitchell said on March 23, 2011
    USA Raleigh, NC. We have two oil rich countries in West Africa that want to produce rice (white long grain rice) but need help in the production of this rice starting with seed management to milling and packaging. We need a university or company that can help. Can you help? We have funds just need expertise. Rick
  • Dr. Owusu-Takyi said on June 27, 2011
    Professional Farmers College is a Training and Consultancy institution who want to help invested and interested people living outside Ghana, West Africa who want to enter into the farming business. Our turnkey services gives investors and interested people the opportunity to start their own farm business while doing their own business. The operative phrase here is BOOT thus Built, Own, Operate and Transfer. We also give farmers the opportunity to improve upon their farm business and become a millionaire in no time. Africa is one of the leading consumer of rice and therefore if you are a company shift tons of rice to Africa, then We advice you to see as to help you build a subsidiary in Ghana. Contact us on afffghana@gmail.com. Thanks
  • Kotchie Valaire said on August 30, 2011
    We are interested to make rice farm. Could us get a turnkey project about 5,000 ha (1a = 10,000 m2) with all the equipment. We are also interested by all partners.
  • konate mamadou said on October 22, 2011
    very interested in us and abroad. i'm located in Everett washington.
  • Chuzin Vang said on October 28, 2011
    I'm interested in rice farming in the centray valley area of California. I have very limited resource and would like to get some help on how to get started and also looking for any organization that could sponsor my project. Please advice, Thanks a million.
  • Ker Mily said on August 15, 2012
    Trying to start a rice farm in Ghana. Wanted expertise on how much costs (not considering the land) just feed, seed, and equipment. Any advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks..
  • mr. sherpa said on October 1, 2012
    Dear sir madam i like to know about rice dealership wholesaler in west bengal siliguri Darjeeling kurseng kalimpong and sikkim i have 300 SQ ft store can you advice me how and where to apply and how much crust investment please. you are sincere, Mr. sherpa
  • Eunice B. said on October 21, 2012
    An important portion of land owner in Ivory Coast, West Africa interesting to start a rice production business in Ivory Coast. Looking for any organization that could sponsor and help set up rice culture project. Any advice or direction is mostly welcome. Born and originate from Ivory Coast, now living in the UK. Blessings
  • ambonisye ambwene said on February 25, 2013
    i am Tanzanian, i want to start rice production in my nation. please i need adverse in rice production skills
  • YUSUF WASIU said on February 26, 2013
    Thanks for the write up. Please can i start rice farming with my small family of 6. Location (ogun state, Nigeria). pls tell me all i need to know because i have no farming background. thanks
  • facia johnson said on June 16, 2013
    Hello, I am very interested in starting a farm business in Liberia. Any info that will help me in that realm would be greatly appreciated. Also curious to know if any of the posters from 3 yrs ago were able to accomplish their goal of rice farming i.e. Weemor Randolph. Thanks
  • Togba A.Togba said on November 4, 2013
    hello, I am very interested in starting rice farm in Liberia, please help me about how to start the farm. Thanks
  • lonata Penondjo said on January 10, 2014
    Hi, I am interested in rice farming and am having agriculture at school , am interested very much in agriculture, we need a large number of student in agriculture so that the world can benefit, after secondary i want to go study agriculture, am in Namibia and you can contact me on penondjolonata@gmail.com
  • taiwo balogun said on February 11, 2014
    hi, i am interested in starting a commercial rice plantation(5000 hectares)in Nigeria, i need a company to start a joint venture preferably Europe.
  • zaldy soniega said on February 19, 2014
    Hi I am very interested in rice farming, but i don't have rice farming background. Can you please give me a guide how to start rice farming in a 4 hectares. thanks
  • Thomas Elon Nkur said on August 3, 2014
    I'm a graduate of chemical engineering. From Yola, Nigeria. I'm interested in rice cultivation business, i am very passionate about the business. I need your expert advice on how to prepare a good business plan. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks.
  • gurwinder singh said on August 12, 2014
    hello, i do basmati paddy on 25 acre. please market
    1509 for Rs.5000/Qt
    1121 for Rs.6000/Qt
    basmati Rs.8000/Qt
    contact number 9530959097
  • Ibrahim M Abdullahi said on September 7, 2014
    I am very much interested in rice farming, I need a to know from where to start and if possible to get sponsorship to start rice farming in Nigeria, I am base in Kano State, Northwestern Nigeria, I am looking to hear from you please. thanks.
  • mohame said on March 15, 2015
    i am interested starting rice farming from somalia can any one help me that.
  • Joel said on March 24, 2015
    I am really interested to start rice farming in Myanmar. In order to start rice firm, I need to know how to make estimate budget for profit & loss. I would greatly appreciate if you could kindly give me the proper budget for 10 acres. Joel
  • Josell said on October 14, 2016
    Hello I am interested in farming in Liberia. I need more information on the process
  • A J beginner adviser said on May 19, 2017

    Looking for rice farming investor. I'm located negros occidental, Philippines. Email at alonsonmc@gmail.com?

    alonsonmc@gmail.com || Sugar Cane Farming Adviser

  • Yornie said on October 31, 2018
    Hi, what machines do I need to start my rice farm in Africa?

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