The Agriculture Department of Haryana has uncovered a widespread scam involving false claims for incentives under the state government's direct seeding of rice (DSR) program. Over 1,000 farmers in Hisar district stand accused of submitting fake applications, attempting to claim Rs 4.60 crore for adopting the DSR technique on 11,500 acres. The state government offers a Rs 4,000 per acre incentive to encourage water conservation through the adoption of DSR for paddy cultivation.
Unraveling the Deception
The Agriculture Department had received applications covering 29,000 acres in Hisar district for the last kharif season. Hisar, with a total paddy area of 1.90 lakh acres, had a state-mandated minimum target of 8,000 acres for the DSR technique. Physical verifications involving agricultural officials, patwaris, and village numbers were conducted to validate the claims.
False Claims Exposed
During the rigorous verification process, it was discovered that claims made by over 1,000 farmers on 11,500 acres were fraudulent. The discrepancy amounts to Rs 4.60 crore, and the rejected claims highlight the need for robust mechanisms to ensure the integrity of government agricultural incentives.
Technology to Rescue
To further verify the remaining 17,500 acres, the department is leveraging data from the Haryana Space Applications Centre. This technological approach aims to ascertain whether the claimed DSR method was genuinely employed in the cultivation of paddy.
Haryana Agriculture Statewide Targets
The state government has set an ambitious target to bring two lakh acres under DSR in paddy-growing districts, including Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Rohtak, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Panipat, and Sonepat.
DSR: A Sustainable Approach to Rice Production
As global demand for rice continues to surge, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) emphasises the need for a sustainable approach to increase production. Direct seeded rice (DSR) is emerging as a viable solution, offering a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and economically sustainable method of cultivation.
DSR Addressing Global Challenges
Traditional rice cultivation methods, responsible for 40 percent of the world's irrigation water use, face challenges due to water scarcity, labor shortages, and decreasing arable land. DSR, where rice seeds are sown directly into fields, presents a more efficient alternative.
Advantages of DSR
DSR brings numerous benefits, including faster planting and maturing, reduced water and labor usage, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Mechanised DSR also opens up employment opportunities and is less labor-intensive, making it attractive to youth and women farmers.
Current Constraints
While DSR holds promise, challenges such as higher seed rates, susceptibility to birds and pests, weed management, and lodging risks need to be addressed for widespread adoption.
