UPCAR & Pragati Partner to Expand DSR to 100,000 Ha Under Samriddh Dhan 2.0
New Delhi, 7th March 2025 – The Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR) and the UP Accelerator Pragati Program successfully hosted Samriddh Dhan 2.0 – DSR Vision 2025 in Lucknow, bringing together key stakeholders to strategize the large-scale expansion of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) in the state. With DSR cultivation already reaching 80,000 hectares in 2024, the event served as a crucial platform to review progress, address challenges, and outline a roadmap for sustainable growth, targeting 100,000 hectares by 2025. In light of climate change, Bundelkhand has been identified as a new focus area for DSR, highlighting its potential for water-efficient and climate-resilient rice farming.
Over the past year, 150+ field-level trials reinforced the benefits of DSR, enhancing farmer confidence in the method’s effectiveness. Experts highlighted the importance of timely access to quality seeds, mechanization support, and essential inputs to sustain and accelerate adoption. Discussions also emphasized the integration of carbon credit markets, crop insurance, and micro-irrigation as key enablers for long-term sustainability. Additionally, post-paddy crop diversification, particularly increasing pulse cultivation, was underscored as a strategy to improve soil nutrition and enhance farmer profitability.
Moving forward, the UP-Accelerator Program will strengthen district-level advisories and best-practice documentation, ensuring farmers receive clear and actionable guidance. A unified approach, aligning SAUs, extension networks, private partners, and farmer organizations, will streamline efforts and drive large-scale adoption. The roadmap also includes scaling sustainable practices, such as biochar application, regenerative agriculture, and climate-smart innovations, to create a resilient and economically viable agricultural ecosystem.
Dr. Sanjay Singh, Director General, UPCAR, underscored the importance of institutional alignment, saying, “Collaboration between SAUs, KVKs, private partners, and farmer networks is key to achieving our 2025 goal. A structured framework, supported by best-practice documentation and district-level advisories, will streamline efforts and drive large-scale adoption.”
Dr. Yogesh Bandhu Arya, State Coordinator, 2030 WRG, World Bank, highlighted the broader impact of sustainable agriculture, stating, “DSR not only conserves water but also enhances soil health, making it an essential component of climate-smart farming. By integrating carbon credit mechanisms and regenerative practices, we can ensure long-term economic benefits for farmers.”
Welcoming participants, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Deputy Director General, UPCAR, emphasized, “The expansion of DSR in Uttar Pradesh reflects the collective commitment of our stakeholders. Moving forward, we must strengthen farmer confidence through knowledge-sharing, timely input availability, and mechanization support to sustain this momentum.”
Adding to the discussion, Dr. Anjali Parasnis, Technical Lead, 2030 WRG, World Bank, stressed the role of policy and innovation in ensuring sustainability. “For farmers to fully embrace DSR, we need to offer the right incentives—whether through micro-irrigation support, insurance schemes, or biofertilizer applications. These measures will create a resilient and economically viable agricultural ecosystem.”
The event brought together private sector leaders, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), research institutions, SAU experts, KVK representatives, and government officials, all committed to driving innovation and sustainability in rice farming. As Uttar Pradesh moves toward a climate-smart and resource-efficient agricultural model, Samriddh Dhan 2.0 DSR Vision 2025 marks a significant step in ensuring farmer-centric, science-driven solutions lead the way for sustainable progress.