Geographical explanations for the distribution of irrigation institutions: Cases from Southeast Asia

Abstract

Rice, the staple food in most of monsoon Asia, is a versatile plant, with a large number of varieties adapted to specific geographical and soil conditions. Some varieties grow as a dryland crop, many others as a swamp land crop in inundated fields, while some varieties are adapted to high-rising floodwaters and are known as deepwater rice or floating rice. Water is a critical factor in rice cultivation. A regular flow of water is required to nurture the plant to the flowering and ripening stages. The water level needs to be sufficient to create soil conditions in which bacteria produce