Chandigarh, May 26: Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Monday announced that the Punjab Government has set a target of bringing 5 lakh acres under the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique during the 2026-27 kharif season. The state government has also made a budget provision of ₹40 crore to promote the water-saving farming technique.
Sharing details of the scheme, the Agriculture Minister said that 23,410 farmers across Punjab adopted the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) method during the 2025 kharif season. According to official figures, direct sowing of paddy was carried out on 2,35,899 acres during the season.
The minister further informed that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has already disbursed more than ₹35.38 crore as financial assistance directly into the bank accounts of eligible farmers. Under the scheme, farmers received financial support of ₹1,500 per acre for adopting the DSR technique.
Calling it a major step towards groundwater conservation, Gurmeet Singh Khudian said the response received from farmers during the 2025-26 season has encouraged the state government to expand the programme further in the upcoming kharif season. He described the initiative as a “farmer-led revolution” aimed at saving Punjab’s rapidly depleting groundwater resources.
The Agriculture Minister said the DSR technique helps in reducing the use of irrigation water by around 15 to 20 percent compared to traditional paddy transplantation methods. He explained that the technique eliminates the process of puddling and nursery transplantation, which also helps farmers reduce labour expenses significantly.
According to the minister, the state government is focusing on promoting sustainable agriculture while ensuring economic benefits for farmers. He said the DSR method has become an important part of Punjab’s broader strategy to tackle the declining groundwater table and encourage environment-friendly farming practices.
Urging farmers to adopt the water-saving technique, Gurmeet Singh Khudian appealed to them to register early in order to avail incentives under the scheme. He informed that the online registration portal for farmers willing to adopt the DSR method is already operational.
The Punjab Government has been encouraging farmers to shift towards modern and water-efficient agricultural practices as the state continues to face challenges related to groundwater depletion due to intensive paddy cultivation. Experts believe that wider adoption of DSR technology can play an important role in reducing pressure on underground water reserves while maintaining paddy production.
Officials said the government aims to significantly increase the area under DSR cultivation during the 2026-27 kharif season by providing financial incentives and technical support to farmers across the state.
