Rajpura (Punjab) [India], June 5: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Rauni village in Patiala district on Monday, where he promoted direct seeding of paddy (DSR) as a sustainable, water-saving alternative to traditional rice cultivation. During his visit, he drove a tractor, interacted with local farmers, and showcased new farm mechanisation innovations aimed at easing labor and conserving resources.
Chouhan lauded Punjab’s farmers, stating, “I bow to the land of Punjab… The farmers here feed the entire country with their hard work. Direct sowing of rice saves a lot of water. I urge farmers across the country to adopt this method to conserve water.”
He witnessed live demonstrations of two advanced machines that automate multiple steps of nursery preparation—bed-making, sowing, and soil covering—streamlining a traditionally labour-intensive process. “These machines simplify the nursery process. Just add water, and the nursery is ready,” he said.
Chouhan also observed a remote-controlled paddy transplanting machine, highlighting its efficiency. “This machine can operate directly in the field filled with water. It allows paddy transplanting through remote control—an innovation that can help sow up to four acres a day,” he explained.
Praising Punjab’s innovative and resilient farmer community, Chouhan emphasized the benefits of farm mechanisation and scientific agriculture, which make cultivation more efficient and cost-effective.
“I salute the hardworking farmers of Punjab who are making farming smarter and more scientific. Their dedication fills the food reserves of the nation,” he said.
Chouhan stressed the importance of grassroots-level interaction with farmers. “Speeches are one thing, but when you sit and talk with farmers, you learn about the real experiments and innovations they are carrying out in their fields,” he said.
He assured that the Centre and the Punjab government will work in coordination to address farmers’ challenges and promote direct seeding practices nationwide.
“The success of direct seeding in Punjab is an inspiration. It saves water, reduces labour, and cuts costs. I urge farmers across India to follow this path,” Chouhan concluded.