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Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Indian Express
Acreage under DSR up 16%, Punjab farmers signal slow and steady shift
Punjab has recorded a 16% jump in the adoption of direct seeding of rice (DSR) this Kharif season compared to last year, signalling a slow but steady shift in the state's efforts to conserve water in paddy cultivation. As per the data from the Punjab Agriculture Department, around 2.94 lakh acres have been brought under DSR this year, up from 2.53 lakh acres in 2024. The government had set an ambitious target of bringing 5 lakh acres under DSR this year. The area covered so far accounts for just 3.72% of the total rice cultivation in Punjab — including both paddy and Basmati varieties, Among the districts, Fazilka leads the way with 1.03 lakh acres under DSR, followed by Sri Muktsar Sahib (98,535 acres). Other districts with notable coverage include Firozepur (18,056 acres), Bathinda (14,382 acres), Amritsar (7906 acres), Mansa (7,281 acres), Faridkot (5,728 acres), Barnala (5,379 acres), Ludhiana (5,564 acres), Patiala (4,552 acres), Tarn Taran (3919 acres), Gurdaspur (3,263 acres), Moga (3,053 acres) and Fatehgarh Sahib (2,486 acres). The lowest adoption was recorded in Ropar, with just 219 acres under DSR. A decade-long journey with ups and downs The DSR technique — formally recommended by the agriculture department in 2010 — was initially adopted by only a few hundred farmers. In 2012, farmers adopted DSR in around 22,000 acres. The following years saw a surge: 96,083 acres in 2013, 2.84 lakh acres in 2014, and 4.07 lakh acres in 2015. However, this growth was not sustained. Between 2016 and 2019, the area under DSR sharply declined due to technical challenges. Farmers unfamiliar with soil suitability, weed management, and nutrient requirements reported significant yield losses, leading to a crisis of confidence in the method. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the resulting labour shortages once again brought DSR into the spotlight, as farmers struggled to find labourers for traditional paddy transplantation. That year, DSR adoption jumped to over 5 lakh hectares (12.35 lakh acres), accounting for nearly 18% of the total paddy area. It further grew in 2021 to 5.62 lakh hectares (13.89 lakh acres), driven by the second wave of the pandemic. However, as normalcy returned and migrant labourers became available again, DSR lost its momentum. The area under it dipped sharply to 1.71 lakh acres in 2022, marginally improving to 1.73 lakh acres in 2023, before reaching 2.53 lakh acres in 2024. Why DSR Matters Unlike the traditional puddled transplanting method — where seedlings are grown in nurseries and then transplanted into flooded fields — DSR involves sowing seeds directly into moist soil using a specialised machine. The first irrigation is given only after 21 days, compared to continuous flooding for 4–5 weeks in traditional methods. As a result, DSR saves 15–20% water per acre, making it a potentially critical tool for Punjab, a state grappling with depleting groundwater reserves. Despite its benefits, adoption remains limited. According to agriculture officials, many farmers still prefer the traditional method, partly due to lack of awareness, technical support, and fear of yield losses. However, those who have consistently used DSR in suitable soils report positive outcomes and continue with the technique. 'DSR is beneficial where soil conditions and irrigation schedules are managed properly,' said Narinder Singh Benipal, Joint Director, Agriculture. 'We have seen a 16.12% increase in DSR acreage this year, which is a good sign.' The Way Forward Officials say that extensive awareness campaigns, hands-on training for farmers, and on-ground support for weed and nutrient management are essential to build confidence in the DSR technique. While the gains this year are encouraging, Punjab's long-term sustainability in rice cultivation hinges on scaling up water-saving methods like DSR — especially as climate change and water scarcity become more pressing. The challenge is not just technical, but cultural: convincing farmers to shift from age-old practices to this, but ultimately, better yields.
New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- New Indian Express
From hardship to hope: Puducherry transwoman empowers community through Annalakshmi Trust
PUDUCHERRY: On a sunny afternoon in Ariyankuppam, a gentle hum of conversation fills M Girija's modest home in Puducherry. A room is temporarily transformed into a gathering space as she hosts her monthly meeting with members of the Annalakshmi Trust – an organisation set up and spearheaded by her to provide job opportunities to transwomen. 'My life journey was not a cakewalk,' Girija recounts — a narrative woven with threads of adversity, endurance, and remarkable transformation. She recalls her childhood, marked by the challenges of being the third child in a family of five. 'I was forced to leave school due to bullying during my early stages of transition. I worked as a wage labourer in factories for three to four years in my teenage years. Since my family didn't accept my natural transformation, I left for Mumbai when I was 18,' she recounts. Five years later, Girija returned home, having survived her time in Mumbai, only to find that her family's attitude had remained unchanged. 'We first need support from our families. Only then will society stand with us,' she reflects. Time, however, worked its magic and softened her family's stance. 'Now they talk to me and invite me for function.' Society was never kind to Girija, but that did not falter her commitment to serve the community, which found an outlet through social work. In 2017, she founded a trust to support transwomen, which made a significant difference in the lives of the elderly, the poor, and the sanitation worker community during the testing times of the Covid-19 pandemic — providing them with medicines and food. Challenges continued to persist after an expired registration forced her to re-establish the organisation under a new name, Annalakshmi, in 2024. 'Many transwomen are forced into begging or other activities because jobs remain out of reach, even for the qualified among us.' Today, a tailoring training centre operates from her rooftop — a newly built shed sheltering a group of 15 transwomen trainees and five sewing machines. With the help of sponsors and a dedicated teacher, the centre offers not only vocational skills but also renewed dignity.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
NEET PG 2025 in Dharmapuri: 245 candidates to appear on August 3; exam centres, timings and rules here
NEET PG 2025: NEET PG 2025 Exam in Dharmapuri on August 3: All you need to know Jayam Engineering College, Pennagaram Srinivasa Engineering College, Paapireddipatty Important guidelines for candidates: Reach the centre on time Bring your admit card and valid ID Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, and smartwatches are not allowed Follow all instructions given by the staff NEET PG 2025 exam centres in Dharmapuri and across India NEET PG 2025 exam timings and day schedule Important exam rules and guidelines for NEET PG 2025 Key dates to remember for NEET PG 2025 Exam Date: August 3, 2025 Admit Card Release: July 31, 2025 City Intimation Slip Release: July 21, 2025 Application Correction Window: June 20-22, 2025 Results Declaration Expected by: September 3, 2025 The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Post Graduate (NEET PG) 2025 exam in Dharmapuri will be held on August 3, 2025, with 245 candidates scheduled to appear. This national-level computer-based test is a crucial step for medical graduates seeking admission to postgraduate medical NEET PG 2025 exam will be held in Dharmapuri on Sunday, August 3, 2025. A total of 245 candidates will appear for the test across two exam centres:The exam will take place from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. However, candidates must reach early. Entry will start at 7:00 AM, and no one will be allowed after the reporting district administration has made full arrangements for a smooth exam. Collector R. Sadheesh visited the centres to review the setup. Extra buses will be available, and drivers have been told to stop near the exam centres for NEET PG exam centre allotment and city intimation slips were released on July 21, 2025, and candidates are advised to verify their specific exam centre schedule applies to all centres and ensures a single exam shift as mandated by the Supreme Court for fairness and are encouraged to visit their exam centre a day prior to understand the commute and adhere strictly to all exam day rules, including the prohibition of unauthorised materials and adherence to COVID-19 protocols if more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education
