Government: Diversification can save 954 bn litres of water in Haryana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

Farmers in Haryana opting for crop diversification and direct seeded rice (DSR) technique for sowing paddy during the kharif season 2020-21 can expect to save more than 954 billion litres of water, says Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Sanjeev Kaushal.

He said farmers had been so far committed to growing alternate crops on 1,16,500 hectares under the crop diversification scheme ‘Mera Pani, Meri Virasat’.

This year, farmers in the state have brought 25,859 hectares under the DSR, which saves up to 30% water, as compared to 6,976 hectares last year.

Kaithal farmers are leading, with 8,450 hectares as compared to 903 hectares last year under DSR. Rohtak farmers are practising the water-saving method on 3,860 hectares as compared to 500 hectares last year, and on 2,860 hectares in Karnal as compared to 544 hectares last year, he added.