Direct Seeded Rice as an Option to Resource Efficient Rice Cultivation-An Economic Assessment

The productivity and sustainability of rice based cropping systems are threatened because of in efficient use of inputs, changing climate, emerging energy crisis and rising fuel prices, rising cost of cultivation and emerging socio-economic changes. Agronomic management and technological innovations are needed to address these issues in Asia and India in particular. In this regard, direct seeded rice is gaining popularity among farmers of India. The data were collected from 180 farmers comprising equal number of farmers practicing TPR (90) and DSR (90) methods using snow ball technique. BPT 5204 was found to be the leading varieties cultivated in command area under DSR and TPR methods. Total variable costs constituted major component (81.60 to 84.71 percenrt) of total cost of cultivation under both the methods. The total variable cost was less by 22.80 percent in DSR over TPR. However, it was interesting to note that the cost incurred for hand weeding was higher (22.88 percent) in DSR compared to TPR. Returns per rupee spent was higher in DSR (2.03), when compared to TPR (1.55) method of paddy cultivation. Further, there was a net gain of/J16714 per ha under DSR over TPR method.