Punjab achieves only 58% of targeted 5-lakh acres under direct seeded rice
However, the official data shows that the area under the water conservation method of DSR is pegged at 2.90 lakh acres this kharif cycle which is the highest in the last four kharif sowing seasons.
DSR 'tar-wattar' (good soil moisture), a low-cost mechanical sowing technique to reduce water footprint in the cultivation of water-guzzling rice by 20%, was indigenously developed by scientists of Ludhiana-based Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
Despite being promoted for the last several years on the recommendation of the PAU, the area under DSR — a cultivation method in which paddy seeds are planted directly into the soil, while doing away with the traditional preparing of nurseries and then transplanting the saplings — has received less acceptance from the rice growers.
Joint director of the state agriculture department, Narinder Singh Benipal, said on Wednesday that the consistent drive by the department has yielded results, as this time the acreage improved impressively.
'The state government is offering a subsidy of ₹1,500 per acre to encourage farmers to adopt DSR. Final data of the total registrations would be ascertained on the last date of July 31. We are confident that more farmers will get associated with the PAU-approved technology in the coming seasons,' added Benipal.
Officials said that the state had set the target of 2.02 lakh hectares or 5 lakh acres under DSR in which Fazilka topped the tally by breaching one lakh acres, followed by 97,540 acres in Muktsar.
Fazilka chief agriculture officer (CAO) Rajinder Kumar Kamboj said that in 2024, a total of 59,000 acres were under DSR, which improved to 1.02 lakh acres this year.
The Punjab government has been pushing the technique as an alternative to the traditional method, as besides water conservation, the DSR also cuts the labour input cost.
During field trials, the DSR was done on 23,500 hectares or 58,000 acres in 2019 and the area under this technique jumped to 5.4 lakh hectares or 13.34 lakh acres in 2020.
In 2021, DSR acreage was recorded as the highest at 13.88 lakh acres and officials attribute the large area under the method in 2020 and 2021 to a labour shortage caused by Covid-19-induced lockdowns.
Officials admit that the hesitancy to adopt new technology and the lack of technical knowledge are to be blamed for farmers' reluctance to adopt it.
Data shows that post-pandemic lockdown, the area nosedived.
Officials said that though acreage under the DSR declined after 2021, the method is showing a gradual upward trend.
Area under DSR was recorded as 1.71 lakh acres in 2022, 1.73 lakh acres in 2023, 2.53 lakh acres in 2024 and it reached 2.90 lakh acres in 2025.
Bathinda CAO Jagdish Singh said DSR acreage in the district this year has improved by 40% to 14,000 acres.
'Last year, about 10,000 acres were under the DSR and our team remained engaged in removing doubts about this technology by organising regular awareness camps. Our field studies say that the growth and health of plants in the DSR fields are impressive. Regular drive will encourage farmers to get their field soil tested to ascertain suitability for DSR, and the method will gain popularity in the near future,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
a minute ago
- The Hindu
Two killed, 10 injured in explosion at U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania
An explosion at a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh left two dead and sent at least 10 to hospitals on Monday (August 11, 2025) and heavily damaged the sprawling facility, officials said. One worker was pulled from the wreckage hours after the explosion sent black smoke spiraling into the midday sky in the Mon Valley, a region of the state synonymous with steel for more than a century. Allegheny County Emergency Services said a fire at the plant started around 10.51 a.m. Authorities later said a second person had died. The explosion, followed by several smaller blasts, could be felt in the nearby community and prompted county officials to warn residents to stay away from the scene so emergency workers could respond. 'It felt like thunder,' Zachary Buday, a construction worker near the scene, told WTAE-TV. 'Shook the scaffold, shook my chest, and shook the building, and then when we saw the dark smoke coming up from the steel mill and put two and two together, and it's like something bad happened.' Cause under investigation At a news conference, Scott Buckiso, U.S. Steel's chief manufacturing officer, did not give details about the damage or casualties, and said they were still trying to determine what happened. U.S. Steel employees 'did a great job' of going in and rescuing workers, shutting down gases and making sure the site was stable. Buckiso said the company, now a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Steel Corp., is working with authorities U.S. Steel CEO David B. Burritt said the company would thoroughly investigate the cause. "I end every meeting and every message with the words, Let's get back to work safely.' That commitment has never been more important, and we will honour it,' he said in a statement. Allegheny Health Network said it treated seven patients from the plant, and discharged five within a few hours. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said it is treating three patients at UPMC Mercy, the region's only level one trauma and burn center. Clairton resident Amy Sowers was sitting on her porch, located less than a mile from the plant, and felt her house shake from the blast. 'I could see smoke from my driveway,' she said. 'We heard ambulances and fire trucks from every direction." Sowers, 49, decided to leave the area after she said she smelled a faint smell in the air. Sowers, who grew up in Clairton, has seen several incidents at the plant over the years. Despite health concerns, Sowers said many residents cannot afford to leave. A maintenance worker was killed in an explosion at the plant in September 2009. In July 2010, another explosion injured 14 employees and six contractors. According to online OSHA records of workplace fatalities, the last death at the plant was in 2014, when a worker was burned and died after falling into a trench. After the 2010 explosion, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined US Steel and a subcontractor $175,000 for safety violations. US Steel appealed its citations and $143,500 in fines, which were later reduced under a settlement agreement. 'Lives were lost again,' Sowers said. 'How many more lives are going to have to be lost until something happens?' The Clairton coking plant continued to operate after the explosion, although two batteries that were the site of the explosion were shut down, officials said. Air quality concerns and health warnings The plant, a massive industrial facility along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, is considered the largest coking operation in North America and is one of four major US Steel plants in Pennsylvania. The plant converts coal to coke, a key component in the steel-making process. To make coke, coal is baked in special ovens for hours at high temperatures to remove impurities that could otherwise weaken steel. The process creates what's known as coke gas — made up of a lethal mix of methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi said his heart goes out to the victims of Monday's explosion. 'The mill is such a big part of Clairton,' he said. 'It's just a sad day for Clairton.' The Allegheny County Health Department said it lifted an advisory it issued earlier in the day telling residents within 2 km of the plant to remain indoors and close all windows and doors. It said its monitors have not detected levels of soot or sulfur dioxide above federal standards. According to the company, the plant has approximately 1,400 workers. The plant has a long history of pollution concerns In recent years, the Clairton plant has been dogged by concerns about pollution. In 2019, it agreed to settle an air pollution lawsuit for $8.5 million. Five years later, the company agreed to spend USD 19.5 million in equipment upgrades and $5 million on local clean air efforts and programs as part of settling a federal lawsuit filed by Clean Air Council and PennEnvironment and the Allegheny County Health Department.
Hans India
31 minutes ago
- Hans India
Explosion at US Steel plant in Pennsylvania leaves 2 dead, 10 injured
Clairton (Pennsylvania): An explosion at a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh left two dead and sent at least 10 to hospitals Monday and heavily damaged the sprawling facility, officials said. One worker was pulled from the wreckage hours after the explosion sent black smoke spiraling into the midday sky in the Mon Valley, a region of the state synonymous with steel for more than a century. Allegheny County Emergency Services said a fire at the plant started around 10.51 am. Authorities later said a second person had died. The explosion, followed by several smaller blasts, could be felt in the nearby community and prompted county officials to warn residents to stay away from the scene so emergency workers could respond. 'It felt like thunder,' Zachary Buday, a construction worker near the scene, told WTAE-TV. 'Shook the scaffold, shook my chest, and shook the building, and then when we saw the dark smoke coming up from the steel mill and put two and two together, and it's like something bad happened.' **Cause under investigation At a news conference, Scott Buckiso, U.S. Steel's chief manufacturing officer, did not give details about the damage or casualties, and said they were still trying to determine what happened. U.S. Steel employees 'did a great job' of going in and rescuing workers, shutting down gases and making sure the site was stable. Buckiso said the company, now a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Steel Corp., is working with authorities US Steel CEO David B. Burritt said the company would thoroughly investigate the cause. "I end every meeting and every message with the words, Let's get back to work safely.' That commitment has never been more important, and we will honour it,' he said in a statement. Allegheny Health Network said it treated seven patients from the plant, and discharged five within a few hours. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said it is treating three patients at UPMC Mercy, the region's only level one trauma and burn center. Clairton resident Amy Sowers was sitting on her porch, located less than a mile from the plant, and felt her house shake from the blast. 'I could see smoke from my driveway,' she said. 'We heard ambulances and fire trucks from every direction." Sowers, 49, decided to leave the area after she said she smelled a faint smell in the air. Sowers, who grew up in Clairton, has seen several incidents at the plant over the years. Despite health concerns, Sowers said many residents cannot afford to leave. A maintenance worker was killed in an explosion at the plant in September 2009. In July 2010, another explosion injured 14 employees and six contractors. According to online OSHA records of workplace fatalities, the last death at the plant was in 2014, when a worker was burned and died after falling into a trench. After the 2010 explosion, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined US Steel and a subcontractor USD 175,000 for safety violations. US Steel appealed its citations and USD 143,500 in fines, which were later reduced under a settlement agreement. 'Lives were lost again,' Sowers said. 'How many more lives are going to have to be lost until something happens?' The Clairton coking plant continued to operate after the explosion, although two batteries that were the site of the explosion were shut down, officials said. **Air quality concerns and health warnings The plant, a massive industrial facility along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, is considered the largest coking operation in North America and is one of four major US Steel plants in Pennsylvania. The plant converts coal to coke, a key component in the steel-making process. To make coke, coal is baked in special ovens for hours at high temperatures to remove impurities that could otherwise weaken steel. The process creates what's known as coke gas — made up of a lethal mix of methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi said his heart goes out to the victims of Monday's explosion. 'The mill is such a big part of Clairton,' he said. 'It's just a sad day for Clairton.' The Allegheny County Health Department said it lifted an advisory it issued earlier in the day telling residents within 2 km of the plant to remain indoors and close all windows and doors. It said its monitors have not detected levels of soot or sulfur dioxide above federal standards. According to the company, the plant has approximately 1,400 workers. **The plant has a long history of pollution concerns In recent years, the Clairton plant has been dogged by concerns about pollution. In 2019, it agreed to settle an air pollution lawsuit for USD 8.5 million. Five years later, the company agreed to spend USD 19.5 million in equipment upgrades and USD 5 million on local clean air efforts and programs as part of settling a federal lawsuit filed by Clean Air Council and PennEnvironment and the Allegheny County Health Department.
Mint
31 minutes ago
- Mint
Pennsylvania: Explosion at US steel plant with history of pollution concerns kills 2, injures 10
An explosion at a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh left two dead and sent at least 10 to hospitals Monday and heavily damaged the sprawling facility, officials said. One worker was pulled from the wreckage hours after the explosion sent black smoke spiraling into the midday sky in the Mon Valley, a region of the state synonymous with steel for more than a century. Allegheny County Emergency Services said a fire at the plant started around 10.51 am. Authorities later said a second person had died. The explosion, followed by several smaller blasts, could be felt in the nearby community and prompted county officials to warn residents to stay away from the scene so emergency workers could respond. 'It felt like thunder,' Zachary Buday, a construction worker near the scene, told WTAE-TV. 'Shook the scaffold, shook my chest, and shook the building, and then when we saw the dark smoke coming up from the steel mill and put two and two together, and it's like something bad happened.' At a news conference, Scott Buckiso, U.S. Steel's chief manufacturing officer, did not give details about the damage or casualties, and said they were still trying to determine what happened. U.S. Steel employees 'did a great job' of going in and rescuing workers, shutting down gases and making sure the site was stable. Buckiso said the company, now a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Steel Corp., is working with authorities. US Steel CEO David B. Burritt said the company would thoroughly investigate the cause. "I end every meeting and every message with the words, Let's get back to work safely.' That commitment has never been more important, and we will honour it,' he said in a statement. Allegheny Health Network said it treated seven patients from the plant, and discharged five within a few hours. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said it is treating three patients at UPMC Mercy, the region's only level one trauma and burn center. Clairton resident Amy Sowers was sitting on her porch, located less than a mile from the plant, and felt her house shake from the blast. 'I could see smoke from my driveway,' she said. 'We heard ambulances and fire trucks from every direction." Sowers, 49, decided to leave the area after she said she smelled a faint smell in the air. Sowers, who grew up in Clairton, has seen several incidents at the plant over the years. Despite health concerns, Sowers said many residents cannot afford to leave. A maintenance worker was killed in an explosion at the plant in September 2009. In July 2010, another explosion injured 14 employees and six contractors. According to online OSHA records of workplace fatalities, the last death at the plant was in 2014, when a worker was burned and died after falling into a trench. After the 2010 explosion, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined US Steel and a subcontractor USD 175,000 for safety violations. US Steel appealed its citations and USD 143,500 in fines, which were later reduced under a settlement agreement. 'Lives were lost again,' Sowers said. 'How many more lives are going to have to be lost until something happens?' The Clairton coking plant continued to operate after the explosion, although two batteries that were the site of the explosion were shut down, officials said. The plant, a massive industrial facility along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, is considered the largest coking operation in North America and is one of four major US Steel plants in Pennsylvania. The plant converts coal to coke, a key component in the steel-making process. To make coke, coal is baked in special ovens for hours at high temperatures to remove impurities that could otherwise weaken steel. The process creates what's known as coke gas — made up of a lethal mix of methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi said his heart goes out to the victims of Monday's explosion. 'The mill is such a big part of Clairton,' he said. 'It's just a sad day for Clairton.' The Allegheny County Health Department said it lifted an advisory it issued earlier in the day telling residents within 2 km of the plant to remain indoors and close all windows and doors. It said its monitors have not detected levels of soot or sulfur dioxide above federal standards. According to the company, the plant has approximately 1,400 workers. In recent years, the Clairton plant has been dogged by concerns about pollution. In 2019, it agreed to settle an air pollution lawsuit for USD 8.5 million. Five years later, the company agreed to spend USD 19.5 million in equipment upgrades and USD 5 million on local clean air efforts and programs as part of settling a federal lawsuit filed by Clean Air Council and PennEnvironment and the Allegheny County Health Department.
