Long stretches of green paddy fields are a common sight which never fails to catch our attention in country sides of Kerala. Kuttanad and Palakkad in Kerala are predominantly known for rice cultivation. The whole process rice production goes through several steps starting from harvesting to the final rice production. Today, though, mechanical methods are in use to complete the entire stages, the traditional methods of harvesting, threshing, and winnowing can still be seen in many areas of Kerala.

Harvesting, the first step, is the process of cutting the ripe stalk. In the next process of threshing, the grain from the straw is separated. Traditionally, this is usually done manually by striking the harvested ears of grain against a hard object. Sometimes, it is done by trampling the bunch of panicles spread over a mat with bare feet. There will be a separate plot near the paddy field called ‘threshing field’ to do the threshing. Winnowing is the third stage, in which the light-weight waste particles like chaff are blown away.  In the subsequent process of shelling, rice kernels are separated from its case. For this process, powered machines are used normally.