Terraced, #emerald-­colored #rice paddies are a common sight in the Vietnamese countryside where rice has been grown for thousands of years. While #Vietnam is one of the world's largest exporters of the #crop, its rice production has faced challenges in recent years, including competition from nearby Myanmar and Thailand as well as rising costs for #fuel, fertilizer, and pesticides. #Soils in Vietnam's agricultural regions are also suffering from #nutrient deficiencies due to dikes and irrigation infrastructure along the Mekong Delta that block nutrient­-rich alluvial floodwaters from reaching the #soil. #photooftheday #science #earth #landscape #photography 📷 Getty Images/Le Duc Tho