In a significant push to conserve groundwater and promote sustainable farming practices, the Punjab agriculture department has set an ambitious target of bringing 5 lakh acres under the direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique during the kharif crop season of 2026-27. A budget provision of Rs 40 crore has been allocated to support this initiative.
Success of DSR in 2025 Kharif Season
According to official data, the DSR technique gained substantial traction in the 2025 kharif season, with 23,410 farmers adopting the method. These farmers covered a total area of 2,35,899 acres through direct sowing, and the government disbursed Rs 35.38 crore as financial assistance to encourage adoption.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian hailed the progress, stating, "This is a farmer-led revolution in water conservation. The response in 2025-26 has laid a strong foundation. Now, with a Rs 40-crore outlay and a target of 5 lakh acres for 2026-27, we are scaling up our commitment to save precious groundwater."
Key Benefits of DSR Technique
The DSR method eliminates the traditional practices of puddling (wet tillage) and nursery transplantation. This leads to a reduction in irrigation water usage by 15 to 20 percent and significantly cuts labor costs. The minister emphasized that this technique is a critical intervention in Punjab's broader strategy to reverse the decline of its water table, ensuring that economic incentives match ecological urgency.
Registration and Incentives
Urging farmers to adopt the water-saving DSR technique, Khudian advised them to register early to avail the incentive. The online DSR registration portal for farmers willing to adopt the technique is already operational, facilitating easy enrollment.
The state government's enhanced focus on DSR is part of a comprehensive approach to address the severe groundwater depletion in Punjab, where paddy cultivation traditionally consumes large amounts of water. By scaling up DSR adoption, the government aims to promote sustainable agriculture while supporting farmers financially.
