Govt raises DSR incentive, but extreme heat, delayed payments may hit goal

The Haryana Government has raised the incentive for Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) cultivation by Rs 500 per acre, offering Rs 4,500 per acre this year. Additionally, farmers purchasing DSR sowing machines will receive subsidies of up to Rs 40,000. The move comes as part of the state’s intensified push for water-saving agricultural methods amid mounting environmental concerns.

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This year, Haryana aims to bring 4 lakh acres under DSR cultivation, with districts like Sirsa and Fatehabad targeting nearly 50% higher coverage compared to last year. Paddy sowing using the DSR method began on June 15 in several parts of the state.

However, experts caution that the ambitious target may fall short due to rising temperatures, poor germination in sandy soils and delays in disbursing past incentives. Last year, although over 5.06 lakh acres were registered for DSR, only 1.56 lakh acres were verified as actually sown. In Sirsa, for example, 90,000 acres were registered, but surveys confirmed only 70,000 acres sown using DSR.

One of the major deterrents, according to officials and farmers, is the delay in payments. In Sirsa alone, over Rs 24 crore in DSR incentives from last year were released only in recent days, denting farmers’ trust in the government’s promises.

“Such delays discourage adoption,” said a senior agriculture officer. “Farmers are cautious this year despite improved incentives.”

Farmers are also struggling with weather extremes. Sirsa has seen temperatures touch 47.5°C, severely affecting seed germination and early crop establishment.

“DSR is good — it saves water and reduces diseases,” said Gurjeet Mann, a progressive farmer in Sirsa who has adopted DSR on over 50 acres. “But in sandy soil, we face problems with crop growth. Modifying sowing machines could help improve germination and yield,” he suggested.

He added that recent cotton crop failures due to erratic weather have forced many farmers in the region to shift to paddy, despite its water-intensive nature.

Agriculture experts have welcomed the revised incentive. “DSR can reduce water use by 25-30% and electricity consumption by 20-30%,” said Dr Sukhdev Kamboj, Deputy Director, Agriculture, Sirsa. “It also saves on labour, nursery costs and transplanting. This method not only saves resources but also helps reduce carbon emissions and maintain soil fertility,” he added.

Notably, this year no cap has been placed on land area eligible for the incentive. Farmers will receive Rs 4,500 per acre, whether they sow on one acre or 100 acres.