Innovative cropping solution to raise rice farmer incomes, cut GHG emissions
New Delhi, May 28, 2024: A new technology solution promises to enhance the incomes of millions of rice farmers by using Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) while substantially reducing labour cost and greenhouse gas emissions by about 25%. This innovation will also save water, give a decisive push to sustainable agriculture, enhance yields, and support the Government of India’s vision for Net Zero Emission and the National Food Security Mission.
“By 2035, an extra 114 million tons of milled rice will be needed to ensure food security, yet land and water resources for expanding paddy cultivation are scarce. In view of the continued strain on water in traditional paddy cultivation methods and higher costs it is imperative that more farmers use climate-smart agriculture practices including the less expensive and more sustainable DSR method. However, such farmers grapple with the challenges of weed management, and lower productivity, prompting us in the industry to think of a solution that addresses these problems,” said Ajai Rana, Chairman of Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII).
Leading technology-based rice company Savannah Seeds has introduced a first-of-its-kind FullPage Rice Cropping Solution, specially designed to address the needs for large scale adoption of DSR by rice farmers. “This cutting-edge solution offers a comprehensive four-pronged advantage. FullPage integrates smart genetics to optimize crop performance. With its SQUAD seed treatment, FullPage Cropping Solution provides uniform germination, promoting robust initial growth and plant vigor. Unlike conventional methods, FullPage technology eliminates the risk of herbicide phytotoxicity to the crop, ensuring uninterrupted growth and maximum yield potential by offering broad spectrum weed control and crop safety,” informed Rana, Asia Pacific Business Head and CEO of Savannah Seeds, adding that the new technology will help farmers across over 12 paddy growing states in India. It has been introduced after having been validated through over 500 demonstrations and endorsed by thousands of farmers for three years.
Traditional DSR practices often struggle with weed management and inconsistent germination, leading to lower yields. To address this challenge in rice farming, the FullPage Rice Cropping Solution integrates ADAMA’s Vezir herbicide that controls weeds like weedy rice, grasses, broad leaf weeds and sedges in Imazethapyr-herbicide tolerant hybrid rice.
The technology pushes the global agenda of migrating to less water-guzzling and sustainable agriculture practices. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), producing one kg of rice requires 2500-4000 liters of water, while another estimate suggests that paddy cultivation on one hectare of land in a season on an average requires 150 lakh liters of water. “This puts severe strain on ground water and is likely to aggravate in the next few years requiring a sustainable solution. By addressing the excessive water usage traditionally associated with rice cultivation, the FullPage solution emerges as a critical step towards ensuring the sustainability of rice production ecosystems, particularly in the face of climate change and variability, and is aligned to the Government’s vision,” adds Rana.
“FullPage technology blends a holistic & futuristic approach that not only reduces groundwater consumption but also translates to substantial cost savings for farmers of Rs 6000 to 8000 per acre. Moreover, it promises to enhance yields and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by 25-30%. To further empower farmers with knowledge and solutions, the company has also launched a dedicated FullPage App,” further informed Rana.
The FullPage ‘Ricerecah’ App serves as a comprehensive tool for farmers aiming to modernize their rice cultivation methods. “By granting access to agronomic expertise and practical utilities, we’re empowering farmers to embrace more sustainable practices with assurance,” Rana emphasized.
The FullPage Rice Cropping solution represents a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture. By addressing water scarcity & weed management, enhancing yields, and promoting eco-friendly practices, it offers farmers a path to increased productivity and profitability.