Direct Seeding of Rice A Game-Changer for Water Conservation: Malu Nachreiner of Bayer

Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) over the traditional transplanting method can significantly reduce water consumption while enhancing resilience to climate stress. Malu Nachreiner, Head of Region Asia for the Crop Science Division at Bayer, highlighted these benefits in a recent article published in The Financial Express.

Nachreiner argues that DSR offers a substantial advantage over traditional rice cultivation, which relies heavily on continuous field flooding. Instead of recruiting a large labor base for transplanting work, DSR allows machinery, including sowing machines, to enter the paddy fields in the absence of standing water.

This not only saves time but also ensures that each plot is optimally spaced and deepened to maximize crop success. Digital technologies further support farmers by enabling them to contact machinery providers, access specialized hybrid seeds, and receive advice on managing these new practices.

In her article, Nachreiner states that the benefits of DSR extend beyond the farm gate. Traditional rice cultivation requires 4,000 to 5,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of grain.

By eliminating the need for flooded fields, DSR can cut water usage by up to 40%. This method also plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Without the flooded conditions that promote methane-producing bacteria, DSR fields can lower emissions by up to 45%, contributing significantly to global climate change mitigation efforts.

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Furthermore, DSR enhances soil nutrition and helps prevent erosion. Healthier soil supports current crops and improves long-term productivity, benefiting farmers for generations to come. With 150 million smallholder farmers worldwide, Nachreiner emphasizes that DSR has the potential to revolutionize agriculture by making it more sustainable and efficient.

Nachreiner’s insights underscore the transformative impact of DSR on water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, and soil health. Her arguments make a compelling case for the widespread adoption of this innovative technique to secure a more sustainable future for rice farming in Asia and beyond.