Low yields, slow uptake to test India's green rice plans

Scientific models aim to close DSR yield gaps, with top gains seen in Punjab, Haryana, UP and parts of eastern India

- Vijay Roy & Dhirendra Kumar

India is changing the way rice is cultivated. The government plans to implement a technique known as direct seeding of rice (DSR) in over 10 million hectares of farmland as part of its strategy to shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices and reduce carbon emissions.

The move is aimed at aligning with India's broader climate goals, particularly efforts to reduce emissions from rice farming, a water- and energy-intensive crop. However, the initiative faces two challenges: low yields and reluctance of farmers to accept the method of rice cultivation in about 25% of the country's paddy fields.