The method of direct rice sowing seems to be here to stay in the Tungabhadra command areas of the district.
Area coverage under the new method, which was around 150 hectares in 2015-16 after it was introduced on an experimental basis in 2012-13, has increased considerably to 10,100 ha in 2018-19, mainly because paddy cultivators have realised that it reduces input cost and helps save water while also resulting in increased income.
Paddy is a major crop during the kharif and rabi seasons in the command areas of the district, particularly in Sirguppa taluk which gets canal water for raising two crops and also has lift irrigation facilities. The targeted area for cultivating paddy during kharif is around 77,000 ha. Since 2017-18 and 2018-19, direct rice sowing has been taken up in 10,000 ha. “We are happy with the new method of cultivating paddy as it brings down the input cost by 25% to 30% (when compared to the conventional method of transplantation) in use of pesticide and on labour. In addition, under the new method use of water is also reduced as only wetting is needed. Stagnation of water is avoided . At the same time, we are also getting 35 to 40 bags of paddy, on a par with the transplantation method,” said Otur Pompanna, a farmer from Karur village of Sirguppa taluk.
Unlike in transplantation, in direct sowing method plants will be in rows and this will enable more aeration, which helps prevent diseases and pest attacks. Incidentally, it was observed that this year, areas under direct rice sowing were free from the Brown Plant Hopper pest attacks when compared to paddy grown under the conventional method.
The Department of Agriculture has also been encouraging farmers to take up direct rice sowing by informing them about these advantages and giving them a subsidy of ₹4,000 a ha, with a ceiling of 2 ha per farmer.
“We had set a target of bringing 6,120 ha under direct rice sowing this year. But the achievement is 10,100 ha. Going by the enthusiasm of the farmers, we hope the area will increase further during the next kharif season,” said Shivanagouda Patil, Deputy Director of Agriculture.
Farmers from Tamil Nadu, Telangana and neighbouring districts have been visiting to see for themselves the successful adoption of the new method.
