Advancing Sustainable Rice Cultivation: The Impact of Direct Seeded Rice in Haryana
In collaboration with Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd., CEASI has transformed rice farming in Haryana through the adoption of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technology, benefiting over 6,000 farmers across eight districts, including Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat, Sirsa, Sonipat. Through 200+ Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and eight field days engaging 1,000+ farmers, the initiative demonstrated DSR's advantages, including a 30-40% reduction in water use and a 25% cut in labour costs compared to traditional methods, which require 5,000 liters of water per kg of rice.
The program featured Basmati HT demonstration plots, with 500 farmers reporting improved yields and increased sustainability. An impact assessment survey conducted among these farmers further validated the effectiveness of DSR in enhancing productivity and promoting sustainable practices in rice farming.