History

Rice growing has been attempted in many states of Australia. Subsistence rice growing by Chinese gold prospectors in the 1850s did not evolve to commercial rice production.

However, a former Japanese parliamentarian who emigrated to Australia pioneered growing of medium grain rice in the early 1900s at Swan Hill.  His success spurred interest and enthusiasm, leading to the rice becoming an important part of the new Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

Early Beginnings

Rice was introduced to Australia in the 1850s by Chinese prospectors. They cultivated rice seeds in marshy areas near the goldfields to help feed the workers. There is no evidence to suggest that these early rice growing attempts were successful.

Former Japanese parliamentarian, Isaburo (Jo) Takasuka Matsuyama, planted rice at Swan Hill in Victoria, in 1906. He sowed japonica seed from Japan, and undertook many trials, acclimatising the most suitable seed before growing Australia’s first successful rice crop in 1914. Seed from this crop and the family’s experiences of growing rice were passed onto researchers at the Yanco Experimental Farm (near Leeton).

The Start of an Industry

In 1920, Mr Jack Brady of the NSW Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission was sent to California to investigate alternative crops. He studied the japonica rice being produced in California  in similar soil types and climatic conditions of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

Following further field tests and trials, incorporating Mr Takasuka's rice seeds and techniques, as well as those from abroad, the first commercial crop of rice was grown in the Leeton district in 1924. This pioneer crop yielded 222 tonnes of paddy.

A rice-breeding program commenced at Yanco in 1928 to produce pure rice seed, and later to introduce new varieties of rice better suited to southern NSW.

Rice growing quickly became an important enterprise on irrigation farms in the Leeton, Yenda and Griffith districts. By the 1930s, rice production met domestic needs and exporting began. In the 1960s, the Coleambally Irrigation Area was established and substantial areas were developed for rice farming. Rice production also commenced in the Finley area. Irrigation in both areas developed a result of the establishment of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme.