UP Principal Secretary Visits ISARC with World Bank Team to Explore Scalable Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) Initiatives in Uttar Pradesh

The discussions focused on identifying scalable strategies, convergence opportunities, and capacity-building approaches to mainstream DSR across diverse agro-ecological zones of the state. (Image Credit: IRRI-ISARC)

On May 27, 2025, Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh along with a delegation from the World Bank visited the International Rice Research Institute – South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) to review and strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at scaling the adoption of Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) technology in Uttar Pradesh. The visit marks a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the World Bank, and IRRI to promote sustainable and climate-resilient rice production practices.

The World Bank delegation comprising Vinayak Ghatate, Shantanu Kumar, and Ajith Radhakrishnan participated in the discussions along with ISARC Director Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, senior scientists from ISARC and officials from Uttar Pradesh Diversified Agriculture Support Project (UPDASP), including Prof. V. P. Singh and Sunil Kumar. Today’s deliberations were a part of two-day program, out of which the first day featured a field visit to Paniyara village in Varanasi.

Addressing the gathering, Yadav highlighted the efforts being taken by the state government to accelerate the agricultural productivity. Citing the recently launched UP-AGREES project, he said, “This project has the potential to bring transformational change to the agricultural scenario of Uttar Pradesh and benefit the farmers in the rice-wheat cropping system. Given the technical expertise of IRRI in climate-resilient technologies and sustainable intensification, we aim to scale DSR adoption across the s tate and build a more productive and climate-smart farming future.”

The discussions focused on identifying scalable strategies, convergence opportunities, and capacity-building approaches to mainstream DSR across diverse agro-ecological zones of the state. Key areas included enhancing seed system readiness, farmer training, policy alignment, and strengthening public-private partnerships to ensure long-term impact.

At the field visit organized in Paniyara, the World Bank & UPDASP delegation observed live demonstrations of Laser Land Levelling (LLL) and Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) cultivation using multi-crop planter. These demonstrations aimed to familiarize farmers group with precise land preparation and mechanized sowing techniques that enhance water efficiency, reduce labor dependency, and improve crop establishment. The hands-on exposure allowed participants to better understand the practical benefits and operational aspects of adopting DSR technology on their farms.

In Bankat village, the team visited and interacted with farmers practicing integrated farming—including fish farming—to gain insights into how diversified livelihood options are being woven into rice-based systems to improve resilience and income.

The field day concluded with a strategic interaction session hosted at KVK Varanasi. Farmers, officials, and technical experts came together to discuss barriers and opportunities for scaling DSR across eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing the farmers, Ghatate from World Bank said, “The World Bank is committed to supporting the Government of Uttar Pradesh in bringing about a transformational shift in agriculture. Our focus is not just on technology deployment but on understanding the farmer’s journey—what motivates them, what holds them back, and how we can build enabling systems. DSR is a powerful solution for climate-smart and resource-efficient farming, and through UP-AGREES, we aim to scale it in a way that is practical, inclusive, and rooted in farmer realities.”

IRRI, through its regional centre ISARC, is playing a pivotal role in building evidence, providing technical backstopping, and facilitating farmer capacity development for DSR and other climate-smart technologies. This visit sets the stage for a robust action plan to expand sustainable rice cultivation and support Uttar Pradesh’s ambitions for climate-smart agriculture and improved water-use efficiency.

First published on: 27 May 2025, 12:25 IST

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