Campaign reaches nearly 2,000 farmers, demonstrating water-efficient rice cultivation across 10 states

KisanKraft, a leading agricultural technology innovator, has successfully concluded a nationwide awareness and education campaign on Dry Direct Seeded Rice (DDSR), covering more than 26 districts across India. Launched on 10 October 2025 from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, the initiative aimed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable, profitable, and water-efficient rice cultivation practices among Indian farmers.

As part of the drive, paddy demonstrations were conducted across 10 states, covering 213 farmers’ fields and spanning a total of 124 acres. In addition, 30 on-ground awareness and training events were organized across multiple locations, with approximately 2,000 farmers participating directly in interactive sessions and live demonstrations.

During the campaign, KisanKraft’s technical and agronomy teams provided hands-on guidance on DDSR-specific practices, including land preparation, precision sowing, weed management, and crop protection. Farmers were able to engage directly with experts to evaluate the real-field performance of KisanKraft’s DDSR varieties, helping them make informed decisions for upcoming cropping seasons.

India’s position as the world’s largest rice producer highlights the urgency of transitioning to cultivation practices that are both productive and resource-efficient. Conventional transplanted rice is highly water-intensive, requiring nearly 5,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram of rice, placing severe pressure on groundwater reserves amid rising climate variability.

DDSR offers a compelling alternative. Grown on non-puddled fields without standing water, the method delivers 50–60 per cent water savings while significantly reducing cultivation costs. Seed rates can be lowered by nearly 60 per cent, alongside reduced dependence on pesticides and fertilizers. DDSR also helps preserve soil structure, supports crop rotation and intercropping with pulses, facilitates mechanization, reduces labour intensity, and substantially lowers greenhouse gas emissions, with methane emissions almost negligible compared to conventional wetland rice systems.

“Dry Direct Seeded Rice is a win-win solution for farmers and the environment,” said Ravindra Agrawal, Chairman, KisanKraft Limited. “It delivers yields comparable to transplanted rice while improving profitability and conserving natural resources. At KisanKraft, we are committed to driving large-scale DDSR adoption through farmer awareness programs, extensive field demonstrations of varieties developed by our R&D team, and training supported by a robust package of practices.”

KisanKraft’s DDSR varieties mature within 110–140 days, perform well across diverse soil conditions, and align with the national vision of ‘more crop per drop.’ The company believes that widespread DDSR adoption will play a critical role in strengthening India’s food security while making rice cultivation more resilient to water scarcity and climate stress.

The awareness drive spanned major rice-growing districts across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Building on the momentum of this campaign, KisanKraft plans to continue field demonstrations, farmer training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to support a smooth transition to DDSR and advance a more sustainable future for Indian agriculture.