A sustainable rice production technology: problems and prospects

The study has focused on problems and prospects perceived by farmers’ for growing rice in direct seeded cultivation mode i.e. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) in Haryana (India). Overall adoption of DSR technology was low to moderate since 70 per cent respondents belonged to these categories. The method of sowing (weighted mean score 3.0), depth of sowing (2.93) and seed treatment (2.93) were highly adopted agronomic practices, whereas least adopted practices were like recommended seed rate (1.94), timely application of fertilizers (1.87) and their recommended doses (1.73), and ferrous sulphate use only at deficiency syndrome (1.19) not as per recommended schedule. Among constraints non-availability of quality seeds, fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides in required quantity and at proper time (1.64), high weed infestation in DSR in comparison to transplanting (2.88), wide fluctuation in prices (2.83) of basmati paddy due to lack of MSP, lack of storage facilities in villages (2.78), lack of proper knowledge of irrigation schedule (1.73), non-availability of extension personnel (1.64), lack of low credit facility (1.62), non-availability of agricultural magazines and literature in time in villages (2.78), lack of stable procurement policy for basmati rice (2.78) and lack of trained field staff to provide technical guidance during cultivation (2.02) process were serious constraints faced by farmers in adoption of DSR technology in Haryana. Since majority of respondent farmers agreed that DSR technology give better net returns in comparison to transplanting (2.95), less labour requirement (2.92) and best suited to climate change risks (2.66)