GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Agriculture
Source: Hindu Business Line
Context: There is a growing trend of farmers in rice-growing states of India adopting the direct-seeding method for paddy cultivation.
Reasons: With delays in rainfall and labour shortages, this method allows farmers to sow seeds without waiting for rain or spending time in nurseries.
What is Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)?
DSR, also known as the ‘broadcasting seed technique,’ is a method in which seeds are directly drilled into the fields. There is no nursery preparation or transplantation involved in this method.
Technique:
In this technique, farmers level the land, provide one pre-sowing irrigation, and then sow the rice seeds directly into the field instead of transplanting seedlings.
Advantages of DSR over Traditional Agriculture:
| Advantages | Direct Seeding Method (DSR) | Traditional Agriculture |
| Water Conservation | Direct-seeding method reduces water requirement by about 15%. | Relies heavily on flood irrigation, leading to water wastage |
| Labour Efficiency | Requires fewer labourers for nursery preparation and transplantation | Requires a significant workforce for nursery and transplanting |
| Time Savings | Eliminates the need for nursery preparation and transplanting time | Requires time for nursery preparation and transplanting |
| Yield Potential | Can result in higher yields due to improved crop management | Yield may vary based on crop management and environmental factors |
| Soil Health | Helps prevent the development of hard crust beneath the plough layer | Puddling can lead to soil compaction and reduced soil health |
| Crop Residue Management | Allows for better management of crop residue | Crop residue management can be challenging in traditional methods |
Limitations of DSR:
- Weed Management Challenges: DSR often requires multiple sprays of weedicides to control weed growth. In comparison, flood irrigation in the traditional method acts as a natural weedicide.
- Vulnerability to Climate Extremes: DSR may be more susceptible to extreme weather conditions, such as high temperatures and deficient rainfall.
- Crop Residue Management: Unlike traditional agriculture, where rice straw is removed after harvest, DSR leaves the crop residue in the field.
- Variability in Yield: The success of DSR can vary depending on factors like farmer expertise, soil type, and environmental conditions.
- Initial Learning Curve: Transitioning from traditional agriculture to DSR may require farmers to acquire new knowledge and skills.
- The seed requirement for DSR is also higher than transplanting.
- Land levelling is compulsory in DSR, therefore, increasing the cost.
Insta Links:
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance of Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) (250 Words)
Prelims Links:
What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? ( UPSC 2020)
- Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crops.
- Without the need for a nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
- Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: D
