An outsourcing agent transplants seedlings in a paddy field. (Image used for representational purpose)
JALANDHAR: In an effort to save water during paddy cultivation, former district agriculture officer Daler Singh, who has already been promoting sowing of paddy on ridges, has now innovated ‘dry puddling’ technique for transplanting paddy in place of traditional water-guzzling puddling. Even though a few dry seeding techniques have been successfully developed and scores of farmers have adapted to the same, most of the farmers still resort to traditional style of puddling.
“As puddling has made a place in farmer’s psyche and they are unable to come out of it, the concept of dry puddling will help them save water. The technique involves pressing of the soil with a heavy plank (by adding weight on it) and once the field is levelled, water is released in it and paddy is transplanted. This needs much less water and fields can be readied quickly at much less cost,” said Daler Singh.