Why in news? https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/direct-seeding-rice-punjab-9395604/

What is Direct seeding of Rice?

Direct seeding is a crop establishment system wherein rice seeds are sown directly into the field, as opposed to the traditional method of growing seedlings in a nursery, then transplanting into flooded fields.

Direct seeded rice (DSR) is recognized as a highly efficient, sustainable, and economically-viable approach to rice production, offering solutions to pressing challenges faced by traditional methods.

In response to rising global demand for rice, projections indicate a 25% increase in production needs over the next 25 years, necessitating sustainable practices that reduce labor, water, energy, and agro-chemical usage to minimize the environmental footprint of rice cultivation.

Rice production through mechanical transplanted rice consumes 40% of the total irrigated water. This exacerbates the issues of water scarcity due to climate change and urbanization. Direct seeded rice presents an alternative crop establishment system where seeds are directly sown into fields, bypassing the nursery stage and flooded fields typical of puddled transplanted rice (PTR) methods prevalent in Asia.

Advantages of direct seeding include:

• Maintaining yield levels under optimal conditions.
• Efficiently saving irrigation water by 12-35% through effective water management.
• Reducing labor and drudgery associated with seedling uprooting and transplanting.
• Lowering cultivation time.
• Energy expenditure.
• Eliminating plant stress from transplanting, leading to faster crop maturation.
• Decreasing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
• Creating employment opportunities for youth through mechanized service provision models.
• Increasing total income by minimizing cultivation expenses.

Challenges in adopting Direct Seeding of Rice Technique

• Higher seed rates
• susceptibility of seeds to birds and pests
• challenges in weed management
• increased risk of lodging.
• Potential issues with uniform crop establishment.

An integrated and scientific approach is essential to optimize direct seeded rice for socio-economic and environmental benefits, ensuring its viability as a long-term solution to meet growing rice demand worldwide.

Mains Practice Question : Discuss the relevance of direct seeding of rice as a method of sustainable agriculture?

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