Why is Chhattisgarh government asking farmers to adopt DSR method for paddy cultivation | Explained

The story so far: In an advisory issued for Chhattisgarh ’s farmers on July 3, 2026, the State government has placed a special emphasis on prioritising Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) over the traditional transplanting method. The advice comes against the backdrop of the uncertainty of rainfall due to El Niño, a climate phenomenon that tends to weaken the South Asian monsoon.

In the Direct Seeded Rice method for paddy, seeds are directly planted into the soil either manually or using machines. Sowing by hand or broadcasting seeds has been in practice since time immemorial. When canals and borewells were not available and agriculture was largely dependent on monsoon rains, farmers sowed seeds directly into the soil. One challenge with DSR was weed management as the weed would compromise yield.