Quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed used by farmers in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, was evaluated by a drill box survey. At planting season (october through december, 1978), samples were collected from seed being sown by 203 farmers, and analysed for purity, germination, weed seeds and varietal purity. A questionary was filled at collecting time, to get further information. Origin of seed was predominantely obtained from neibors (49,3%) or own production (42,9%); the majority of farmers (71,9%) planted 1 to 5 hectares; 49,8% of samples had purity between 85 and 96%; 19,2% had germination below 75%; 77,3% had over 20 red rice seed per 400g and 43,4% contained seeds of black hull red rice.