Saturday, March 29, 2025
Chandigarh – The Punjab government officially launched the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique for the 2025 Kharif season starting today. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration has set an ambitious target of covering 5 lakh acres under this eco-friendly method.
To encourage the use of DSR, the government will provide a financial assistance of ₹1,500 per acre to all farmers who adopt this method. Importantly, farmers growing Basmati rice are also eligible for the same benefit.
Last year, DSR covered 2.53 lakh acres, marking a 47% increase over the 2023 season. In 2024, a total of 21,338 farmers received ₹29.02 crore in direct financial aid under this scheme.
The Direct Seeding of Rice method offers several significant advantages:
Saves 15–20% of irrigation water
Reduces labour costs by ₹3,500 per acre
Ensures harvest 7–10 days earlier
Improves soil health over time
Lowers input costs and increases profitability
This technique involves sowing rice seeds directly into the soil without transplanting seedlings, making it more sustainable and less labour-intensive.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh has urged farmers to adopt DSR and take advantage of the government’s subsidy and support. He emphasized that DSR plays a crucial role in protecting the state’s depleting groundwater levels and in making agriculture more sustainable and climate-resilient.
With today’s launch, Punjab has taken a big step toward sustainable farming by expanding DSR to 5 lakh acres. The state government’s push for this water-saving, cost-effective technique is expected to boost farmer incomes, reduce input costs, and conserve natural resources. Eligible farmers will receive ₹1,500 per acre to support this shift in rice cultivation.
