Water Saving or Conspiracy?

After the Green Revolution, where farmers were asked to use chemical fertilisers to feed the nation, now a new narrative is being pushed in the name of water conservation — Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). Promoted as a technique that saves 20-30% water, DSR actually removes the natural weed control provided by standing water in traditional paddy fields.

This forces farmers to heavily rely on expensive herbicides. Companies are aggressively marketing herbicide-tolerant seeds and specific chemicals. Experts warn that continuous use of the same herbicides will lead to super weeds that become resistant, ultimately increasing costs and damaging soil health.

While farmers are being lectured about saving water, the government continues to use rice for ethanol production, which consumes massive amounts of water. The article questions why maize and agricultural waste are not being promoted instead for ethanol, as they have a much lower water footprint.

The piece raises serious concerns about whether scientists and policymakers promoting DSR will take responsibility for long-term soil damage and increased chemical dependence, or will farmers once again be blamed.