"Haryana Offers Highest DSR Subsidy," Agri Minister Emphasizes Need for New Technology

Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Friday reaffirmed the state’s commitment to water-efficient farming, highlighting a subsidy of over ₹4,000 per acre for farmers adopting Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR)—the highest such compensation in the country. Speaking at a farmers’ workshop in Kurukshetra, Rana emphasized that Haryana remains at the forefront of promoting sustainable rice cultivation.

The workshop, organized by Savannah Seeds in association with the Haryana Agriculture Department, deliberated on the benefits and challenges of adopting DSR. Unlike traditional transplanting methods, which require extensive water use, DSR eliminates the need for seedling transplantation, significantly reducing both water consumption and labour costs. The event saw participation from over 500 farmers, along with Deputy Directors of Agriculture from various districts, to discuss DSR’s potential in reducing groundwater depletion and improving paddy cultivation efficiency.

Rana highlighted the state’s initiatives to support the transition toward more sustainable rice cultivation. “Water conservation is a pressing issue for Haryana’s farmers. The government is committed to promoting DSR as a sustainable alternative and will extend financial support, training, and access to advanced seed technology to facilitate its adoption,” he said. Haryana has set a target to bring over 3 lakh acres under DSR cultivation, and as of 2024, 50,540 farmers have already adopted the technique across 1.8 lakh acres.

Rice is a major Kharif crop in the state, with over 59.21 lakh tonnes produced in 2022–2023. It is cultivated across more than 30 lakh hectares of Haryana’s agricultural land. However, farmers face challenges such as declining water tables, weed control, and high labor costs. Traditional rice cultivation methods require approximately 3,000–4,000 liters of water per kilogram of rice, making it a highly water-intensive process. In response, the state government has been actively promoting DSR to conserve water and improve farming efficiency.

Ajai Rana, CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds and Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India, emphasized the role of technology in ensuring the success of DSR. “With proper seed selection and precision irrigation, farmers can achieve higher yields while conserving groundwater. The workshop provided an opportunity to address concerns and equip farmers with the knowledge necessary to implement DSR effectively,” he said.

One of the key innovations discussed at the workshop was FullPage^®, an advanced seed treatment technology designed to ensure uniform germination for a stronger and more productive rice crop. “Traditional DSR methods sometimes suffer from uneven germination, leading to lower yields. FullPage^®’s SQUAD seed treatment addresses this challenge. By eliminating the nursery stage and reducing the need for excessive irrigation, this can significantly conserve water—reducing pumping costs by up to 30%. This translates to approximately 15–25 lakh liters of water saved per year. Additionally, by minimizing water usage, FullPage^® also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane,” Rana said.

The event also featured case studies from states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, where DSR has been successfully implemented, offering insights into best practices. Farmers attending the workshop interacted with scientists and agronomists to understand key aspects of DSR, such as weed management, soil preparation, and herbicide use. Experts stressed the importance of tailored interventions to ensure smooth adoption and long-term benefits.

Haryana has also made progress in reducing stubble burning, achieving a 29% reduction this year through farmer incentives. The state government’s endorsement of DSR is expected to encourage wider adoption among farmers seeking cost-effective and sustainable rice cultivation methods.