Punjab Boosts DSR: 16% Rise, 3.41 Lakh Acres for Water Saving

Chandigarh, Jun 26 (PTI) Punjab has recorded a 16 per cent increase in the area under Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) during the ongoing kharif season, with more than 26,000 farmers adopting the water-saving technique on 3.41 lakh acres, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said on Friday.

Khudian said 26,896 farmers have so far brought 3.41 lakh acres under DSR compared to 25,853 agriculturalists, who adopted the method on 2.93 lakh acres last year.

To encourage farmers to adopt the technique, the state government has increased the allocation for the scheme to Rs 40 crore in the current financial year from Rs 35.16 crore disbursed last year, he said.

Under the scheme, registered farmers receive financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per acre through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The minister said online registration for the incentive remains open till June 30.

He added that paddy transplantation is still underway in major rice-growing districts and is expected to continue till mid-July, raising hopes of further expansion in DSR coverage.


Khudian said field officials have been directed to organise special camps to help farmers complete registration and verify bank account details for smooth transfer of benefits.

He said the rise in DSR adoption reflects farmers' confidence in the state government's efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and conserve groundwater.

The minister said the government is committed to reducing cultivation costs and safeguarding Punjab's agricultural future through water-efficient farming practices.

DSR eliminates the need for puddling and nursery transplantation, reducing irrigation water use by 15 to 20 per cent and significantly lowering labour costs, he said.

Khudian urged farmers who have not yet registered under the scheme to do so before the deadline and avail themselves of the financial assistance.

The Punjab government has been promoting DSR through awareness campaigns, field demonstrations and technical support as part of its efforts to encourage sustainable farming and address the challenge of declining groundwater levels in the state.