Direct Seeding of Rice with Drum Seeder in Visakhapatnam District of North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh
Abstract
Rice is the major predominant crop during Kharif in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, cultivated in an area of 1,10,008 ha with a productivity of 2624 kg/ha. Farmers traditionally grow rice using methods involving high seed rates, close spacing, and late transplanting with over-aged seedlings—practices exacerbated by erratic rainfall and climate change. Scarcity of labor, escalating wages, and reduced labor efficiency are leading to low net returns. In this context, the DAATTC, Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, introduced the 'Drum Seeder' technology—a simple, labor-efficient method for direct seeding. This technology saves time and money, enabling harvest 7-10 days earlier than conventional transplanted rice. On-Farm Demonstrations (OFDs) were organized during Kharif 2021 and Rabi 2021-22 across 8 locations. Results showed that drum seeder technology recorded an 11.39% higher average grain yield (6245 kg/ha) compared to conventional transplanting (5604 kg/ha). The technology reduced the cost of cultivation by 9.35% (Rs. 4,850/ha), primarily through savings on nursery management and transplanting labor. Combined with a 7-10 day earlier harvest, this led to a 55.8% increase in net income (Rs. 40,430/ha vs. Rs. 25,950/ha) and a superior cost-benefit ratio (2.03 vs. 1.59). The study concludes that drum seeder technology is a viable, profitable, and labor-saving innovation for rice cultivation in the region.
Keywords
Download Options
Introduction
Rice is a staple food crop crucial for India'sfood security. Although productivity has increased instates like Andhra Pradesh, the compound growth rate at the national level is declining (Krishnaiah, 1999). With limited scope for area expansion and plateauing yields in irrigated ecosystems, increasing production per unit area and time is imperative. India must produce 135-145 million tonnes by 2020 to feed its growing population, requiring a productivity increase to 3.2 t/ha from the current 2.05 t/ha (The Hindu Survey of Indian Agriculture, 2006).
In Visakhapatnam district, rice is cultivated on 1,10,008 ha during Kharif and 2,000 ha during Rabi. Rising cultivation costs— driven by labor scarcity, escalating wages, and increased input prices—threaten profitability. The labor-intensive transplanting operation is a major bottleneck. Direct seeding of rice using a drum seeder offers a promising solution. This technology reduces labor dependency by 30-50% and can increase productivity by 20-30% (Directorate of Rice Research, 2003). It eliminates the need for nursery raising, pulling, and transplanting, allowing earlier crop establishment and maturity. However, successful adoption requires appropriate field selection, irrigation management, suitable varieties, and effective weed control. To address these challenges and promote sustainable intensification, the DAATTC, Visakhapatnam, conducted on-farm demonstrations with the following objectives: Objectives: 1. To evaluate the feasibility and agronomic performance of drum seeder technology in Visakhapatnam district through On-Farm Demonstrations (OFDs). 2. To compare the grain yield and yield attributes of drum-seeded rice with conventionally transplanted rice. 3. To analyze the economics of drum seeder technology, including labor savings and profitability.
Conclusion
The on-farm demonstrations conclusively demonstrate that direct seeding of rice using a drum seeder is a highly feasible and profitable technology for Visakhapatnam district. It offers a triple advantage: significant yield increase (11.4%), substantial cost reduction (9.35%), and earlier crop maturity (7-10 days). The technology directly addresses critical constraints of labor scarcity and high wage rates by saving 37 labor-days per hectare. This translates into a dramatic 51.9% increase in net income and abetter return on investment. For sustainable intensification of rice systems in the region, large-scale promotion of drum seeder technology, coupled with training on proper weed and water management, is strongly recommended. CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest.
