Bayer announced the introduction of its direct-seeded rice (DSR) system during the 6th International Rice Congress, in Manila (Philippines). According to information sent to the press, "moving from transplanted rice cultivation to direct rice cultivation can help farmers reduce water use by up to 40%, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 45% and reduce farmers' dependence on manual labor by up to 50%".
And the company emphasized that "the introduction of the DSR system is fully in line with Bayer's recently announced approach to regenerative agriculture."
The company has forecast that 75% percent of total rice fields in India will switch to this cultivation method by 2040. By 2030, Bayer plans to bring the DSR system to one million hectares in India.
“We are building entire systems based on regenerative agricultural practices that create value for both farmers and nature and that help solve global food security,” said Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Bayer’s Crop Science division.
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