Rice field

Rice is an integral part of Iranian food. Most of Iran's rice is planted in the northern provinces (Mazandaran, Gilan, Golestan) of the country. Most farmers still use traditional methods and manual labor. Their work starts in the last days of winter with rice planting and ends with rice harvesting at the end of summer.

A large part of the workers are women who, in addition to cooking and taking care of children and household chores, are also busy working in the agricultural land. This is a photo collection to show the labors of male and female agricultural workers.

Sickles used by northern Iranian workers to cut rice stalks — Chalus, Mazandaran Province, Iran, on August 10, 2023.

A worker cuts rice stalks with a sickle and gathers them into bundles — Chalus, Mazandaran Province, Iran, on August 10, 2023.

A worker places a bundle of harvested rice stalks on his shoulder — Chalus, Mazandaran Province, Iran, on August 13, 2023.

Elderly workers sit by the edge of the rice field, drinking tea and eating bread after the harvest — Chalus, Mazandaran Province, Iran, on August 10, 2023.