Punjab farmers expand water-saving rice cultivation as groundwater risk deepens

Area under direct-seeded rice, including bed sowing, rose 36% to 4 lakh acres this kharif. The shift could help protect long-term staple-rice supply for India’s food system while reducing irrigation demand in Punjab, which supplies about 31% of the national rice basket.

— Filed Sun, 26 Jul, 2026, 10:05 IST · Source BL · Consumer & Economy · Updated

Punjab farmers are expanding water-saving rice methods, including direct seeding and bed sowing, as groundwater declines. Direct-seeded rice area rose 36% to 4 lakh acres this kharif, supporting longer-term food security and sustainable staple-rice supply in India.

Why this matters

No related recent Punjab rice sector signals are provided; the 36% kharif expansion establishes a baseline for tracking water-efficient cultivation and rice-supply resilience.

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