Farmers Exposure Visit on DSR Production System under Rice Fallow Management at ICAR-RCER, Patna

Around 50 farmers from Gajadharpur, Tankuppa, Gaya visited the project site at Guleriychak, Tekari, Gaya to witness the success of the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) production system under the rice fallow management program.

The farmers also visited the ICAR-RCER Sabajpura farm, where they observed various DSR production trials being conducted under long-term experiments. Subsequently, they toured the ICAR-RCER main complex and interacted with scientists while exploring different research trials, Integrated Farming System (IFS) models, nutri-gardens, and other ongoing activities.

The exposure visit greatly motivated the farmers, who expressed keen interest in adopting these innovative technologies on their own fields in the coming days. The one-day training programme on DSR production system under rice fallow management concluded successfully with the support and active participation of all involved.

On this occasion, Dr. Anup Das, Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna, remarked that “Direct Seeded Rice under rice fallow management is an important intervention for sustainable intensification of rice-based systems. The keen interest shown by farmers is very encouraging and will go a long way in enhancing productivity, resource-use efficiency, and income of farming communities in Eastern India.”

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Senior Scientist, informed that Gajadharpur village of Tankuppa block, Gaya district, has been identified for greening of rice fallow areas through the introduction of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) along with oilseeds and pulses.

The successful organization of the programme was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Dr. Prem Kumar Sundaram, Dr. Abhishek Kumar, Dr. Pawan Jeet, Dr. Ved Prakash, Shri Devendra Mandal, Dr. S. Poonia, Shri P.K. Singh, Shri A.S. Mahapatra, Shri Sarvan Kumar Sahni, Shri K.M. Maring, Shri Ravindra Kumar Yadav, and Shri Om Prakash Kumar, whose contributions ensured its smooth and effective execution. The program was funded by SCSP.