The reduction in cultivation costs is determined by comparing the expenses between the baseline and project seasons, taking into account factors such as seeds, fertilizers, crop protection, labor, machinery, contractual services, and irrigation. By adopting innovative practices like Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), farmers can significantly lower their overall cultivation costs.

Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) eliminates the need for labor-intensive puddling and traditional nursery-based transplanting, reducing both labor and water consumption. When paired with AWD, which reduces irrigation frequency, these methods offer a more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective approach to rice cultivation.

Additionally, our hands-on support and ongoing crop advisory throughout the season help farmers optimize input usage, ensuring efficient resource allocation and further reducing cultivation costs.

To date, approximately 10,000 farmers across 11 states have voluntarily joined the program, covering over 45,000 hectares of farmland — including 7,000 hectares under the Direct Seeded Rice method. This has resulted in an annual consolidated reduction in cultivation costs of approximately ₹405 million, providing significant financial savings for farmers while fostering environmentally sustainable farming practices.