Global Rice News

A group of farmers in India has successfully implemented sustainable practices in the cultivation of rice, significantly reducing water usage for their crops. India, known for being the most populous country globally, is responsible for over 40% of the world’s rice exports and produces around 135 tonnes of rice annually.

Located in the state of Haryana, the village of Karnal boasts vast sunlit paddy fields stretching along both sides of the motorway, where innovative farmers have abandoned traditional methods in favor of smarter farming techniques that conserve water. Nitin Gupta, vice president of global agribusiness at Olam, explains that traditional rice farming requires 4,000 to 5,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of rice.

To address this issue and promote environmentally-friendly rice cultivation, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Olam launched the Sustainable Rice Project in 2020. The project aims to assist farmers in adopting sustainable practices. Traditionally, rice farms flood their fields before planting paddy. However, Karnal farmers have adopted three sustainable techniques.

The first technique is the wet-and-dry method, which involves the use of a tube inserted into the paddy field to monitor the water level. The second technique is drip irrigation, where water is carefully supplied to the plant’s roots in required quantities. Lastly, laser-land leveling is employed to ensure equal distribution of water throughout the paddy field using laser levelers and tractors.

According to Mr. Gupta, these methods have allowed farmers to reduce water consumption by 15 to 20% without affecting crop yield. Nonetheless, convincing farmers to abandon their traditional methods, which have been passed down through generations, has presented challenges.

In addition to addressing water consumption, the Sustainable Rice Project also focuses on gender disparity in agriculture by creating opportunities for local women. The project has empowered women, known as Krishi Sakhis or Farmer’s Friends, to disseminate knowledge of sustainable farming practices among farmers and be actively involved in their communities while earning income.

Krishi Sakhis play a vital role in helping farmers understand and implement sustainable farming techniques. They assist with crop input management, including water, fertilizers, and pesticides, ensuring these inputs are properly utilized. This intervention has benefitted farmers and local women alike, such as Seema Devi.

Initially faced with skepticism from farmers, the Krishi Sakhis persevered and gradually gained their trust by providing answers to their questions and addressing their concerns. Today, they proudly contribute to their community and are agents of change, knowing they are making a positive impact on the environment.

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