Proceedings of Global Direct-Seeded Rice Conclave 2025

The Global DSR Conclave 2025, organized by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi, convened policymakers, researchers, private sector leaders, CGIAR institutes, and farmers to explore pathways for scaling Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR). Since its establishment in 2018, the DSR Consortium (DSRC) has advanced DSR research and adoption through its first two phases, which concentrated on mechanization, weed management, and agronomic optimization. As it enters Phase III (2025–2027), the focus shifts to large-scale adoption through innovation, partnerships, business models, and digital technologies.

The inaugural session emphasized the transformative potential of Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) in enhancing the sustainability of rice-based systems by significantly reducing water use, labor requirements, and methane emissions. DSR offers numerous economic and environmental benefits, including 25-30% water savings, yield improvements in succeeding/sequential crops, and enhanced soil health. However, challenges such as weed pressure, uneven crop establishment, and limited mechanization hinder large-scale adoption.

India aims to expand DSR to 16 million hectares by 2030, focusing on improving water productivity, mitigating carbon emissions, and advancing precision agronomy. Uttar Pradesh has set a target of 2 million hectares under DSR by 2030, driven by labor shortages and profitability, in the suitable blocks identified under the Samriddh Dhan program. Institutional and state representatives emphasized the importance of integrating DSR with national schemes such as PM-KUSUM and NFSM, alongside farmer training through KVKs and varietal innovations.

The private sector proposed farmer-centric mechanization models and the promotion of hybrid rice to scale DSR adoption to 1.5 million hectares by 2032. Overall, DSR is recognized as a strategic tool for building climate resilience, offering up to 50% labor savings and a 45% reduction in global warming potential. Key policy priorities include providing subsidies for seed drills and machinery, integrating DSR into national agricultural missions, and reforming seed systems through the SATHI portal and updated Seed Bill.

The session on Agronomy and Mechanization for DSR Systems highlighted the vital role of precision agronomy and mechanization in the success of DSR. Experiences from various regions demonstrated that innovative agronomic practices, such as tar-vattar DSR, have achieved yields comparable to traditional puddled transplanted rice while conserving water and reducing labor requirement, leading to significant adoption in key states. Evidence from DSR based systems showed improvements in soil health and climate resilience. Additionally, regional case studies from Asia and Africa illustrated that mechanized DSR can substantially enhance productivity, provided the service-provider networks are strengthened. Technological innovations, such as inclined-plate seeders, urea briquette machines, and laser land levellers, are enhancing precision and efficiency. Overall, discussions emphasized the need to promote DSR as an integrated technology package that includes quality seed, precise sowing, effective water and weed management, and mechanization. Strengthening Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) and expanding capacity building are essential, along with policy support and subsidies to encourage adoption, particularly among smallholders.

The session on Geospatial Intelligence and Digital Innovation explored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and GIS in scaling DSR. Digital platforms are enabling real-time DSR suitability mapping, while satellite-based detection using SAR data and machine learning offers advanced tools for monitoring and planning. Upcoming satellite missions will provide high-resolution soil moisture data to support precise irrigation scheduling, and drone-based multispectral sensing is helping automate crop advisories at the field level. The session concluded that digital agriculture frameworks must institutionalize geospatial and AI tools for monitoring, yield forecasting, and improving water-use efficiency. Collaboration among national and international research institutions can establish MRV systems to underpin carbon credit initiatives, and user-friendly digital tools such as chatbots can effectively bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and on-farm practice.

The session on Varietal Development and Seed Systems highlighted that varietal improvement is central to scaling DSR sustainably. Advances in genomic breeding are accelerating the development of rice varieties with traits such as anaerobic germination, early vigor, weed competitiveness, and nutrient-use efficiency. Evidence from hybrid rice trials demonstrated substantial yield gains under DSR conditions. Decentralized seed systems and cluster-based demonstrations were identified as vital for ensuring timely access to quality seed. The session recommended fast-tracking the release and multiplication of DSR-suitable varieties, including premium types like Basmati, and establishing stewardship frameworks for herbicide-tolerant rice. Strengthening public–private partnerships for seed production and mechanization will be key to widespread adoption.

The session on Carbon Market Potential examined how DSR can be integrated into carbon credit mechanisms to promote climate-smart rice cultivation. Scientific studies indicate that DSR can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35–50% and save up to 1,850 cubic meters of water per hectare. Emerging digital MRV tools and farmer-centric carbon finance models are creating opportunities for producers to capture a significant share of carbon revenue. Experts emphasized the importance of farmer aggregation, farmer centric carbon credit models, private sector investment, and robust, science-based MRV systems to ensure credibility and scalability. The policy directions outlined include aligning DSR adoption with India’s national carbon market strategy, strengthening institutional capacity for MRV and carbon registry participation, and promoting residue management and regenerative practices as integral components of the DSR technology package.

The session on 150th Anniversary of Department of Agriculture highlighted the state’s vision to become a global food hub by 2030. Plans include a 250-acre Seed Park in Lucknow and collaborative initiatives driving innovation in low-GI and climate-resilient crops such as rice and potatoes through integrated systems. Partnerships under the Samriddh Dhan Network aim to expand DSR to 2 million hectares, generating significant cost savings. Strategic recommendations focus on scaling DSR and zero-tillage practices to 2 million hectares by 2030, leveraging digital tools, carbon credits, and premium “low-carbon rice” branding, and strengthening farmer producer organization (FPO)-led adoption alongside women and youth entrepreneurship.

The DSRC stakeholder workshop consolidated lessons from regional experiences in Vietnam, Cambodia, and India. In Vietnam, DSR adoption reached 60–65% in the Mekong Delta, though challenges remain with high seed and fertilizer usage. Cambodia has seen expansion of mechanized DSR supported by digital dashboards and private-sector models, while India’s initiatives, including cluster-based platforms, are scaling adoption effectively. Key outcomes emphasized the need for supportive policies, business models, and farmer incentives to sustain mechanized DSR. The development of DSR-suited varieties, integrated weed management, and linkages to carbon markets and financial instruments were identified as essential for long-term scaling.

The overarching conclusions highlighted that DSR is a proven climate-smart technology, capable of reducing methane emissions by 50%, water use by 30–40%, and labor requirements by 25–30%. Successful scaling requires the integration of scientific research, policy frameworks, mechanization, and carbon finance. Policy and institutional priorities include subsidizing mechanization and seed drills, building digital MRV and geospatial monitoring systems, and promoting public–private partnerships and FPO networks. Research focus should continue on DSR-adapted varieties, precision agronomy, low-emission cropping systems, and socio-economic studies. Collectively, India and Southeast Asia are positioned to lead the transition toward sustainable, low-carbon, and profitable rice ecosystems.