Direct Seeded Rice: In News
In a bid to mitigate the rainfall uncertainty due to the potential impact of El Nino, the Chhattisgarh government recently advised farmers to cultivate oilseeds and use Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method in paddy for the upcoming kharif season.
- Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is a modern farming technique where rice seeds are sown directly into the field, replacing the traditional method of transplanting seedlings from a nursery.
- DSR can be operationalized on soils ranging from medium texture (loam) to heavy texture (clay).
- However, it is recommended not to go for DSR if the soil is light textured and poorly drained.
- This method skips the labor-intensive step of transplanting, saving farmers time and effort.
- DSR uses less water (up to 50%) because it doesn’t require continuous flooding of the fields.
- By conserving water and reducing labor, DSR makes rice farming more efficient and sustainable.
- DSR also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps combat climate change.
- It also offers a congenial soil environment for better growth and productivity of succeeding crops.
- It increases total income by reducing the cost of cultivation.
- Mechanized DSR also creates avenues for employment through new service provisions and is less labor-intensive and free from drudgery, hence more attractive to youth and women
