Last Updated: 28 September 2026

IMPACT 2026: Highest DSR area in recent years, up 36% to 4.00 lakh acres (31,478 farmers) from 2.94 lakh acres in 2025^[1]
-- ~₹61 crore incentive to farmers at ₹1,500 per acre

Why DSR (Direct Seeding of Rice)?^[2]

-- DSR method saves at least 20% water of the total usage
-- Less labour intensive as well i.e. SAVES Rs. ~3,500 per acre input cost^[3]

IMPACT 2025: DSR area rose to 2.96 lakh acres from 2.53 lakh acres in 2024^[4]

IMPACT 2024:

46.5% growth in the area under Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR)

¶ AAP initiatives

Since 2022: AAP Punjab government has incentivised farmers who adopt DSR technique with bonus of ₹1,500 per acre

¶ What is DSR sowing?^[2:1]

• 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

¶ Other Crop Diversification Initiatives

• Crop Diversification & Modernisation efforts by AAP Punjab Govt

REFERENCES:

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1. https://yespunjab.com/punjabs-dsr-area-grows-36-to-over-4-lakh-acres-gurmeet-singh-khuddian/ (Punjab Govt Press Release, 19 July 2026) ↩︎ ↩︎

2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/punjab-government-aims-to-conserve-water-and-check-stubble-burning-with-direct-seeded-rice-method-of-cultivation-101686348744266.html ↩︎ ↩︎

3. https://yespunjab.com/punjab-pushes-green-revolution-2-0-5-lakh-acres-targeted-for-dsr-with-rs-1500-acre-aid-khuddian/ ↩︎ ↩︎

4. https://www.rozanaspokesman.com/news/punjab/190326/the-2025-agricultural-milestone-punjab-marks-2025-with-historic-crop.html ↩︎ ↩︎

5. https://www.babushahi.com/full-news.php?id=189743 ↩︎ ↩︎

6. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-rain-washes-away-direct-seeded-rice-plans-this-year-8639770/ ↩︎