Increasing farmers’ income remains a top priority for the double-engine government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In line with this goal, the Centre is starting the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a nationwide campaign aimed at boosting agricultural productivity while reducing input costs.

The Yogi government has mobilized all efforts to ensure the success of this initiative during the current Kharif season.

Paddy, the main Kharif crop

Paddy, being the main Kharif crop, typically involves labor-intensive practices — from transplanting nursery-grown seedlings and preparing the field, to crop protection, harvesting, and threshing. These steps often result in high production costs. However, agricultural experts suggest that sowing paddy in straight lines, similar to wheat, can significantly reduce expenses.

By adopting line sowing methods,  such as zero-till seed drills and Happy Seeders, farmers can skip the nursery phase and reduce water use for pre-sowing irrigation. These techniques also allow simultaneous placement of seeds and fertilizers, improving nutrient availability and plant health. Additionally, line-sown crops are easier to manage and protect, making overall cultivation more efficient.

Raising awareness among farmers

Recognizing these benefits, the Yogi government is actively raising awareness among farmers about the advantages of direct line sowing. The administration is also encouraging crop-specific sowing methods, promoting line sowing where suitable, and bed sowing where required. To support this shift, the government is offering up to 50% subsidies on the necessary agricultural equipments, helping farmers adopt modern, cost-effective practices.

According to Dr. S.K. Tomar and Manoj Kumar from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Belipar, Gorakhpur, using the direct sowing method for paddy does not affect yield. In fact, it can reduce the cost by about Rs 12,500 per hectare. If farmers learn how to use this technique properly, they may even get better yields than with traditional methods.

Advantages of direct line sowing

Before sowing, the field must be leveled. Using a laser leveler gives the best results, as a flat field ensures even seed distribution and reduces water use during irrigation, cutting costs further. The best time to sow paddy directly is between June 10 and 20. In flood-prone areas, early sowing helps the plants establish strong roots before any flooding occurs.

The field should have enough moisture at the time of sowing for good germination. For medium and coarse paddy varieties, use 35 kg of seed per hectare; for fine varieties, use 25 kg, and for hybrid varieties, just 8 kg per hectare.

Fertilizers

For high-yield paddy varieties, the recommended NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash) ratio is 150:60:60 kg per hectare. Out of this, 130 kg of DAP fertilizer should be used at the time of sowing. The remaining fertilizers should be divided into 2 to 3 parts and applied either just before or after irrigation.

To protect the crop from soil- and seed-borne diseases, treat each kilogram of seed with 3 grams of Carbendazim before sowing. One of the most important factors in direct sowing is the machine’s depth setting. The ideal sowing depth is 2 to 3 centimeters. Sowing too deep can affect seed germination.

Rainy-season crop

Paddy is a rainy-season crop, and weed growth is a major issue during this time. If weeds are not controlled properly and on time, they can cause serious damage to the crop. To prevent this, spray 3.3 liters of Paddy Methylin 30 EC mixed in 600 liters of water 24 hours after sowing, while the soil is still moist.

About 25 days after sowing, for controlling broadleaf and grass-type weeds, spray 100 ml of Nominee Gold or Adora in 150 liters of water per acre. To control nutgrass (Motha), spray 50–60 grams of Ethoxy Sulfuron (Sunrice) mixed with water 25 days after sowing.