Abstract: In this model, firstly a simple conceptual model of water losses in rice field has been developed and quantified in spreadsheet form. Second, this model is used to simulate what would happen under three scenarios such as continuous ponding with soil management (filling and sealing of visual cracks by intercultural operation) "Case 1"; irrigation with intermittent drying and without soil management "Case 2"; and irrigation with intermittent drying and with soil management "Case 3". In Case 2 and Case 3 water is allowed to fall until water is no longer ponded at the surface and the soil dries and starts to crack. Third, conclusions have been drawn as to the consequences of not irrigating according to a schedule dictated by crack development. From this study it is observed that the total amount of water required for rice production is directly related to the nature of water and soil management practices to reduce crack during irrigation. The model reveals that irrigation in situations where cracks form should be applied before they reach the critical limit (3 mm wide), otherwise all the applied water may lost as bypass flow if the other conditions are favourable, so leading to crop failure. The study indicates the importance of soil management during irrigation to increase water use efficiency by reducing crack. Finally, it can be concluded that influence of cracking should be considered to develop an irrigation scheduling of this puddled soil.