Harvesting is the process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper. On smaller farms with minimal mechanization, harvesting is the most labour-intensive activity of the growing season.

Methods of growing in different localities, but in most Asian countries the traditional hand methods of cultivating and harvesting rice are still practiced. The fields are allowed to drain before cutting. Manual harvesting makes use of sharp knives or sickles, traditional threshing tools such as threshing racks, simple treadle threshers and animals for trampling.

Combine harvester combines all operations: cutting, handling, threshing and cleaning. In the Asian countries mostly rice cultivation has undergone the same mechanization at all stages of cultivation and harvesting as have other grain crops.

Farmers use large, conventional grain harvesters to mechanically harvest rice in autumn i.e. summer. Because quality is so important, these harvesters are designed to both gently and rapidly bring the grain in from the fields.

Harvest management preserves rice quality and yield that contribute directly to profit. Timing field draining and harvest are keys to high head rice yields.