Agriculture officials reach out to farmers to list benefits of DSR

The Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department, under the guidance of Block Agriculture Officer Harpinder Singh, has launched an initiative to promote direct sowing of rice (DSR) technique in the district. Dr Singh and his team visited Punga village to meet farmers who have adopted this method and encourage others to follow suit.

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Direct sowing of paddy is being touted as a water-saving and cost-effective method, particularly in the face of declining groundwater levels. Dr Singh said, this method saves 20-25 per cent labour and 15-20 per cent water, while also reducing the attack of diseases and providing farmers with an extra week to manage paddy stubble.

Moreover, fields where direct sowing of paddy is done have shown an increase in wheat yield by about one quintal during the Rabi season. The Punjab Government is also providing assistance of Rs 1,500 per acre to farmers who adopt this method, said the official.

Farmers Gursimran Preet Singh of Sarangdev village, who has been practicing direct sowing for 14 years, and Harvinder Singh of Punga, who has been doing it for five years, shared their experiences. They highlighted the economic benefits, including increased yield and reduced costs due to lower plowing expenses.

The department aims to cultivate around 5,000 acres of paddy through DSR technique in the Ajnala constituency this year. Other officials present on the occasion were ADO Ajmer Singh, Dr Prabhjot Kaur, and AEO Gurinder Singh.