Mechanized Rice Cultivation
Mechanized Rice Cultivation is the Imperial Age capstone of the Asian Rice Paddy Food-gathering chain. After Dike-Controlled Canals, it improves Villager Food gathering from Mills, Farms, Food Rice Paddies, Fields and Haciendas by 50%, and Hacienda automatic Food gathering by 50%.
Research profile
- Age
- Imperial Age
- Civilization
- Asians
- Research location
- Rice Paddy
- Prerequisite
- Dike-Controlled Canals
- Research time
- 30 seconds
- Wood cost
- 1,000
- Coin cost
- 1,000
Effect & research conditions
Research at a Rice Paddy for 1,000 Wood and 1,000 Coin; the research takes 30 seconds. The bonus applies to the named Food sources, not Coin gathering or every resource collection task. The prior technologies are Paddy Threshing, Irrigation Channels and Dike-Controlled Canals. Its high price makes it a late economic investment that depends on a continuing agricultural economy.
Research condition
Asian civilizations; Imperial Age; Rice Paddy; requires Dike-Controlled Canals
When to research
Research when the Imperial Age economy can afford the cost and enough Villagers or Haciendas use the listed Food sources to benefit. The 50% improvement is strongest when many workers remain assigned for a long period. Compare it with immediate army and siege needs; an upgrade that finishes after the decisive fight may not repay its cost.
The final Food upgrade is distinct from Coin research
Mechanized Rice Cultivation improves Food gathering. The Coin chain uses Rice Trade, Rice Markets and Rice Exports and has different prerequisites and effects. Both chains use the Rice Paddy, so distinguish the intended resource before committing a research queue. A 50% Food bonus will not improve a Coin-focused economy by itself.
A high-cost benefit for a mature farming base
The 1,000 Wood and 1,000 Coin cost is large even in the Imperial Age, and the 30-second research delays its impact. It is most useful when the affected Food sources will keep running. Preserve the farms and worker assignments long enough to earn the return, while maintaining enough military production to protect the economy.