Chandigarh: Punjab’s direct seeding of rice (DSR) scheme has recorded a 16% increase this kharif season, with 26,896 farmers bringing 3.41 lakh acres under the water-efficient method so far, agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said on Friday.He said last year, 25,853 farmers had adopted DSR on 2.93 lakh acres. The state has also enhanced financial support for the scheme to Rs 40 crore this fiscal, up from Rs 35.16 crore disbursed in 2025. Farmers enrolled under the programme receive Rs 1,500 per acre through direct benefit transfer (DBT).With paddy transplantation still underway and expected to continue till mid-July in key rice-growing districts, the department anticipates a further rise in DSR coverage in the coming weeks. The minister has directed field officials to organise special camps to facilitate on-the-spot registration and bank verification to ensure seamless DBT disbursal.“The 16% growth reflects farmers’ trust in the AAP govt’s vision for sustainable agriculture,” Khudian said. “With an enhanced allocation of Rs 40 crore for 2026-27, we are intensifying efforts to secure Punjab’s agricultural future while reducing input costs. We aim to build a culture of conservation, as every acre under DSR helps preserve groundwater for future generations.”Urging farmers yet to enrol to avail the benefits before the deadline, Khudian said the DSR technique eliminates the need for puddling and nursery transplantation, reducing irrigation water use by 15–20% while also cutting labour costs significantly.
