Agriculture Dept Launches Intensive Drive for Direct Seeded Rice in Amritsar District

Under the guidance of Director Agriculture Dr Gurvinder Singh Khalsa and Chief Agriculture Officer Jatinder Singh Gill, the agriculture extension staff has been actively engaging with farmers to promote the adoption of direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique. Extension Officer Prabhdeep Singh Gill recently visited various villages in the district, urging farmers to embrace DSR for rice cultivation.

By implementing the DSR technique, farmers can potentially conserve 15 to 20 percent of water, contributing to a recharge of 10 to 12 percent of underground water reserves. Additionally, this method helps in reducing labor costs and mitigates the risk of crop diseases. The adoption of DSR enables farmers to manage straw effectively in the fields and facilitates the timely preparation of the land for subsequent crops.

In the previous year, many farmers successfully practiced direct seeding of rice, yielding substantial water savings and reducing overall expenditure. Building upon this success, Extension Officer Prabhdeep Singh Gill announced that the Punjab Government would provide financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to farmers who adopt the DSR technique.

However, it is important for farmers to note that DSR is most suitable for medium-to-heavy soils, and caution should be exercised to avoid using this technique in poor soil conditions.

Gill emphasized the significance of dedicating at least one-third of their land to DSR to help maintain groundwater levels and prevent further depletion. He also stressed the importance of employing appropriate spraying techniques to effectively control weeds, advising farmers to conduct weedicide spraying in the evening for optimal results.

The event witnessed the presence of Sub-Inspector Sandeep Singh, along with several officers, employees, and farmers who expressed their support for the initiative.

With the government's financial assistance and the cooperation of farmers, this technique has the potential to revolutionize rice cultivation in the region, leading to a more prosperous and environmentally conscious agricultural sector.