Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian announced that the state government has released ₹27.79 crore to 20,229 farmers who adopted the water-saving Direct Sowing Rice (DSR) technique during the 2024 Kharif season.
Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian mentioned that paddy was directly sown on 2.53 lakh acres in 2024, marking a 47% increase compared to the 1.72 lakh acres in the 2023 Kharif season. In the first phase, ₹4.34 crore was disbursed to over 9,500 farmers in early March 2025, and the remaining funds have now been transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
To promote sustainable farming and reduce water usage, the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government has been encouraging farmers to adopt Direct Seeded Rice (DSR).
Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian explained that the state government offers an incentive of ₹1,500 per acre to farmers who directly sow rice seeds, eliminating the need for transplanting seedlings and helping to conserve water. This initiative is designed to combat groundwater depletion and promote agricultural sustainability, reflecting the government’s commitment to water conservation and environmental protection.