Context:
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmer welfare, while chairing a meeting on stubble management, has emphasized Direct Seeded Rice technique as an alternative to traditional paddy transplantation method.
Explanation:
- Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is an eco-friendly paddy cultivation method where seeds are sown directly into the main field rather than transplanting seedlings from a nursery.
- It eliminates puddling and constant flooding, saving up to 20-25% water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30-40% compared to traditional methods.
Types of Direct Seeding:
- Dry DSR: Dry seeds are drilled into pre-prepared, unpuddled soil using a seed-cum-fertilizer drill. It is usually done before the monsoon arrives.
- Wet DSR: Pre-germinated seeds are broadcast or sown with a drum seeder into puddled, softened soils.
- Water DSR: Pre-germinated seeds are dropped into standing water (less common).
Key Advantages:
- DSR eliminates nursery raising and transplanting, cutting cultivation costs by ₹10,000–15,000/hectare while saving 20–25% water by removing the need for standing water.
- Avoids puddling, preserving soil structure and improving field condition for subsequent crops like wheat.
- Methane-producing bacteria thrive in waterlogged fields; DSR’s non-flooded conditions reduce methane emissions by 30–40%.
Main Challenges & Solutions:
- Weed pressure is the biggest challenge is pre-emergent herbicides like pendimethalin and timely manual weeding are critical in the first 30 days.
- Seed drills ensure optimal sowing depth (2–3 cm) and seed rate (20–25 kg/ha), preventing seed rot and poor germination.
- Ideal sowing is 7–10 days before monsoon onset; precision land levelling ensures uniform water distribution and weed control.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040