Local peasants harvest rice in paddy fields in the Jitra area of Kedah, northern Malaya.

Fast pan around a paddy field. A civilian steps out of the water of the paddy field and walks along a bamboo pole carrying a large sack. A man takes a bundle of cut rice and beats it into a tub which is protected by a large rattan windbreak. Second angle. Two closer shots showing the technique. Wide shot with women at work in the field. Closer shot. Women at work. Closer shots of women cutting bundles of rice with sickles. Wide shot showing cut paddy. A sieve suspended from a tripod is used to winnow the rice.

Notes

When this film was shot there was a widespread food shortage throughout Malaya. The British peace treaty with Thailand provided access to 1,500,000 tons of Thai rice, though this would not be immediately available due to transport issues. As a result the cameraman's dopesheet states 'every spare paddy patch in the country must be cultivated to ease the shortage'. This film makes clear the labour intensive nature of rice cultivation.