PSFC organises a one-day International Symposium on “Advances in Ecological Sustainable Rice Cultivation and National Food Security

PSFC organises a one-day International Symposium on “Advances in Ecological Sustainable Rice Cultivation and National Food Security

Chandigarh, 17 April : The Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission (PSFC) organised a one-day International Symposium on “Advances in Ecological Sustainable Rice Cultivation and National Food Security – Unlocking Potential of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) in Punjab” at Hotel Shivalik View, Chandigarh, bringing together experts, policymakers, scientists, and progressive farmers to deliberate on the future of sustainable rice cultivation.

The symposium aimed to address emerging challenges in paddy cultivation, particularly groundwater depletion, rising input costs, and climate stress, while exploring the potential of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) as a viable alternative to conventional methods.

The symposium was also attended by distinguished Special Guests, including Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; Dr. Jatinder Paul Singh Gill, Vice Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana; Dr. Virender Kumar, Research Director, International Rice Research Institute – South Asia Research Centre, Varanasi; Dr. T.N. Prakash Kammardi, former Chairman, Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission (KAPC), Bengaluru; Dr. Pushpinderpal Singh, Project Director, AWaDH, IIT Ropar; and Dr. Vinay Singh, Representative, FAO of the United Nations.

The experts shared their perspectives on sustainable rice cultivation, technological innovations, and the role of DSR in addressing water and climate challenges. The speakers deliberated on DSR, highlighting both its advantages and practical challenges in adoption. Dr. Kulvinder Singh Gill highlighted an upcoming collaborative project with the Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission aimed at modifying paddy genetics to develop a long-term solution to stubble burning.

Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush appreciated the efforts of the Commission in organising the symposium and bringing together diverse stakeholders on a critical issue.

Sh. Harchand Singh Barsat unveiled a pocket data book titled “Punjab Agriculture, 2026”, developed by the Commission as part of its ongoing effort to establish a comprehensive agricultural data bank.

Prof. (Dr.) Sukhpal Singh, Chairman, PSFC, presented a detailed overview of Punjab’s agricultural scenario, particularly focusing on rice production and its implications for food security. He raised key questions regarding the sustainability of current cropping patterns, the role of DSR, and the need to balance national food security with ecological concerns, setting the stage for focused deliberations during the symposium.

The symposium featured four thematic panel discussions covering critical dimensions of DSR adoption. The first technical panel, chaired by Dr. Makhan Singh Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), brought together leading experts including Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director Research, PAU, Ludhiana; Dr. Kuldeep Singh, former Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) and Head, GeneBank, ICRISAT, Hyderabad; Dr. Gopal Krishan, Scientist, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee; Dr. Ashish, Scientist, ICAR–ATARI, Ludhiana; Dr. Dharaminder Bhatia, Professor, School of Biotechnology, PAU, Ludhiana; Mr. Naveen Kumar, Lead Agronomist, GrowIndigo, New Delhi; Dr. Jatinder Singh, Agricultural Economist, CRRID, Chandigarh; Dr. Virender Kumar; and Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice Chancellor, PAU, Ludhiana. The panel deliberated on the potential of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) in Punjab, highlighting its role in addressing water stress and improving farm sustainability. The experts also emphasised the need for crop diversification, discussing viable alternatives such as groundnut and cotton to reduce dependence on paddy cultivation. Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, emphasised that paddy varieties such as PR-126 and PR-131 are well-suited for both transplanted rice and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), making them viable options for facilitating a smoother transition towards sustainable cultivation practices. Dr. Sharon Elizabeth Benes, Soil and Crop Nutrition Scientist, California State University, Fresno, USA, addressed the conference through video conference, sharing insights on improving soil and water efficiency through Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal also emphasised the need for extending Minimum Support Price (MSP) to alternative crops, noting that assured price support is essential to encourage farmers to adopt diversification beyond paddy.

The second technical session, moderated by Dr. Rajvir Singh Gill, Rice Breeding In-charge, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), witnessed participation from a diverse group of experts and stakeholders. The panellists included Dr. Jasvir Singh Gill, PAU, Ludhiana; Dr. Maninder Kaur, Dr. S.S. Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh; Dr. Ajai Rana, Chairman, Federation of Seed Industry of India; Dr. Anil Sood, former Scientist, Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana; Dr. G.S. Brar, Director, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab; Prof. Rajvir Singh Sohi, progressive farmer from Amritsar; Mr. Gurvinder Singh Bajwa, DSR Warrior Group, Gurdaspur; Dr. Surinder Paul, Director, India Meteorological Department; and Mr. Raj Kiran Johri; The session deliberated on the adoption of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), focusing on technological interventions, environmental implications, and practical challenges in implementation. The panellists highlighted the role of innovation, institutional support, and stakeholder collaboration in addressing constraints and scaling up DSR across Punjab.

Another session, moderated by Sh. Amarpal Singh Bhullar, former Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Government of Punjab, focused on the role of cooperatives in strengthening agricultural systems. The panel included Dr. Harjeet Singh, Department of Cooperation, Punjab; Dr. Sukhwinder Singh, Executive Director, IRDF, Chandigarh; Sh. Jaswinder Singh Saini, CEO, Primary Agricultural Credit Society, Hoshiarpur; Dr. Harpreet Singh, Assistant General Manager, APEDA; Ms. Komal Jaiswal, Founder, GreenAffairs, i-RISE Technology Business Incubator, IISER Chandigarh; and Dr. Vinay Singh, Representative, FAO of the United Nations. The discussion highlighted the critical role of cooperatives in promoting Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), strengthening procurement and marketing systems, and enhancing farmers’ access to institutional support. The panellists emphasised that cooperative-led models can play a key role in scaling sustainable agricultural practices and improving rural livelihoods.

The valedictory session, chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Sukhpal Singh, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission, was addressed by Hon’ble Sh. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The session featured eminent panellists including Sh. Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Chairman, PUNSEED; noted agricultural expert Sh. Devinder Sharma; Dr. Ranjit Singh Ghuman, Professor of Eminence; and Dr. T.N. Prakash Kammardi, former Chairman, Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission.

The speakers deliberated on the need to promote ecological and sustainable farming practices and emphasised the effective implementation of the Punjab State Agricultural Policy, 2023 for the welfare of farmers. They also called for a comprehensive policy framework from the Central Government on the scale of the Green Revolution to address emerging agricultural challenges.

Prof. (Dr.) Sukhpal Singh thanked all participants and stakeholders for their valuable contributions and congratulated everyone on the successful conduct of the symposium.

During the session, Hon’ble Sh. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, also addressed the gathering and appreciated the symposium as a meaningful effort towards bringing real change, rather than a routine deliberative exercise. He described it as a significant step towards conserving Punjab’s depleting water resources and stressed that collective efforts are required to secure the state’s future. Emphasising the need to follow the ideology of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, he called for strengthening “lab to land” linkages to ensure effective transfer of technology to farmers. He further highlighted the importance of promoting value addition, processing, and manufacturing alongside the adoption of DSR to enhance farmers’ income and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.

Dr. Ranjodh Singh Bains, Administrative Officer-cum-Secretary, PSFC, delivered the vote of thanks and outlined the Commission’s upcoming initiatives related to the promotion of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and other initiatives related to agriculture of Punjab.