In a decisive move to accelerate India’s shift toward water-efficient and climate-resilient paddy cultivation, KisanKraft, the ISO-certified agri-technology manufacturer and distributor, conducted a large-scale Dry Direct Seeded Rice (DDSR) field demonstration in Sigepalya, with over 100 farmers from surrounding villages attending.

Hosted on the farm of Mallikarjun Prasanna, a progressive cultivator from KB Cross in Tumakuru district, the demonstration showcased the performance of KisanKraft’s high-efficiency DDSR variety SDSR-1004 under real-world field conditions. The event provided farmers with hands-on exposure to the full suite of DDSR practices—from land preparation and direct sowing to crop management and yield optimization.

A Technology for India’s Water Future

With agriculture accounting for over 80 per cent of India’s freshwater withdrawals, traditional paddy cultivation has become increasingly unsustainable. The conventional method requires nearly 5,000 liters of water per kilogram of rice, underlining the urgency for new models of production as groundwater tables fall across the country.

DDSR offers a breakthrough.

KisanKraft’s SDSR-1004 variety and DDSR protocol reduce water usage by more than 50 per cent, requiring only 2,000–2,500 liters per kilogram. The method eliminates labor-heavy steps such as nursery raising, puddling, leveling, and transplanting—bringing down operational costs while ensuring timely sowing.

The technology also aligns with India’s climate and sustainability goals. DDSR fields emit significantly lower methane, reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and support crop rotation and intercropping with pulses, vegetables, oilseeds, and even plantation crops like arecanut.

Industry Leaders Speak

“Rice cultivation remains the backbone of India’s agri-economy, but water scarcity and knowledge gaps threaten its long-term viability,” said Amit Sharma, CEO, KisanKraft. “Our Dry Direct Seeded Rice varieties are engineered to use over 50 per cent less water without compromising yield or grain quality. Demonstrations like today’s help farmers experience the performance firsthand and build confidence in adopting sustainable technologies.”

Dr. Sowjanya M.S., R&D Manager at KisanKraft, emphasized the performance and agronomic advantages of SDSR-1004: “DDSR can deliver higher yields depending on soil fertility, and the grain quality remains comparable to traditional varieties. The reduction in cultivation expenses directly improves farmer profitability, while lower methane emissions make the system environmentally superior. Pest and disease incidence is also noticeably lower.”

For host farmer Mallikarjuna Prasanna, the benefits are tangible and immediate. “DDSR removes the need for nursery raising, puddling, and transplanting. It can even be cultivated organically with sprinkler irrigation and intercropped with Areca. The SDSR-1004 grain is a fine variety similar to sona masuri, with excellent panicle numbers and grain density,” he said.

Driving Adoption Through Demonstration

KisanKraft’s DDSR demonstration aims to close the knowledge gap that has slowed adoption of water-saving rice cultivation across India. By allowing farmers to inspect tiller density, grain development, root structure, and soil-moisture dynamics on a live plot, the company is positioning DDSR not merely as an agronomic innovation but as a strategic solution for India’s evolving climate, labor and water economy.

The initiative underscores KisanKraft’s broader vision: technology-led, resource-efficient agriculture that strengthens farmer resilience while safeguarding India’s food security.