DSR can reduce water use by up to 35% and cut cultivation costs by ₹14,000/ha; FSII calls for wider adoption

As India grapples with growing pressure on water resources, rising labour costs, and the need to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture, the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) on Tuesday called for transitioning to more resource-efficient cultivation practices at a conference on Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). Experts noted that DSR is emerging as a climate-smart and resource-efficient alternative capable of improving farm profitability while conserving natural resources. FSII organised the 2nd edition of its conference on “Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) for Sustainable & Profitable Rice Production” on March 10, 2026, at NASC Complex, New Delhi. The conference brought together policymakers, scientists, industry leaders and agricultural experts to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges associated with scaling up DSR adoption across India’s rice-growing regions and to develop a strategic roadmap for accelerating its adoption. Rice cultivation in India is increasingly coming under strain due to unsustainable groundwater extraction, particularly in the north-western rice belt. “In Punjab, groundwater extraction has reached nearly 156% of annual recharge, while Haryana stands at around 137%, indicating severe pressure on aquifers. Producing one kilogram of rice requires roughly 3,000–5,000 litres of water, making rice among the most water-intensive crops. At the same time, agriculture...