Retired IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu from Punjab has introduced an innovative farming technique called Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB) to combat groundwater depletion. His method not only conserves water but also reduces costs and promotes sustainable agriculture.
Punjab’s Groundwater Crisis
Punjab, often referred to as the breadbasket of India, faces a severe groundwater crisis. Data from the Central Groundwater Board warns that by 2039, the state’s groundwater could drop below 1,000 feet due to excessive extraction for paddy cultivation. Currently, 87% of Punjab’s farmland is used for rice farming, with 97% of groundwater dedicated to irrigation.
“This over-extraction has been happening for decades,” says Kahan Singh Pannu, who has seen firsthand the drastic decline in water levels in his village, Jai Nagar.
Introducing the SRB Technique
With a strong agricultural background and years of public service, Kahan Singh developed the SRB technique, which drastically reduces water usage by 75% compared to traditional paddy farming.
- Traditional paddy farming requires 4,000 liters of water per kilogram of rice.
- The SRB technique ensures water reaches the roots without flooding fields.
- Water is applied only in furrows, preventing wastage and maintaining soil health.
Revolutionary Flying Robot Technology
To implement this method efficiently, Kahan Singh collaborated with agricultural equipment manufacturers to develop the SRB device, a machine that:
- Prepares beds and plants seeds simultaneously.
- Saves labor costs and increases precision in farming.
- Uses herbicide-tolerant seeds to address weed growth without flooding fields.
Farmers Adopt SRB with Great Success
During the latest growing season, 12 trial sites across Punjab implemented SRB with promising results. Farmers reported significant cost savings:
- Jaswinder Singh, a farmer from Lambra village, used the technique on two acres and saved ₹8,000 per acre in irrigation and labor costs.
- “Earlier, we had to irrigate the field 20 times, but with SRB, just four times was enough,” he shares.
- Despite lower water usage, yields remained consistent at 24 quintals per acre.
A Sustainable Future for Punjab
With groundwater levels plummeting, SRB presents a revolutionary shift in paddy farming. Farmers are increasingly adopting the technique, reducing costs and preserving groundwater.
Reflecting on Punjab’s agricultural heritage, Kahan Singh states, “I have so many childhood memories tied to wells. Today, functioning wells are nowhere in sight. We need to shift towards regenerative and conservation-oriented agriculture.”
As the former IAS officer continues to inspire change, his pioneering efforts show that one innovative solution can transform an entire region, paving the way for a sustainable future in Indian agriculture.