Direct Seeded Rice Consortium - DSRC

Rice Today: In today's mounting challenges faced by farmers, developing technologies that improve rice crop establishment is critical for enhancing productivity and climate resilience.

At IRRI, the iron-coated seed technology being tested offers a promising solution to improving seed placement and early protection. The added coating weight reduces seed drift, strengthens seed-soil contact, and helps protect against birds and rodents. Because the coating delays germination, coated seeds can withstand shallow flooding from unexpected rainfall, allowing a modified water-seeding approach where water recedes naturally. This reduces the need for forced drainage in wet-DSR, which can result in the loss of water, nutrients, and soil minerals.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4rROUhB

Global Conclave on Direct Seeded Rice- 2025 Day 2b The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is hosting the Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) (https://dsrc.irri.org/) Conclave 2025 at its South Asia Regional Ce...

Global Conclave on Direct Seeded Rice - 2025 Day 1 The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is hosting the Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) (https://dsrc.irri.org/) Conclave 2025 at its South Asia Regional Ce...

DSR Conclave 2025
5-7 October 2025
IRRI South Asia Regional Center (ISARC)
Varanasi, India

Learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13NsmLoYa7lltPEdDp987urL46VLGlO6D/view

Rice is the lifeline for millions across Asia, but its cultivation under traditional puddled transplanted systems is becoming increasingly unsustainable. With growing concerns over water scarcity, labor shortages, rising costs, and climate change, Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) has emerged as a transformative alternative. This technique not only reduces the demand for water and labor but also minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, lowers cultivation costs, and enhances farm profitability, making it a cornerstone for the future of sustainable rice-based systems.

Recognizing these opportunities and challenges, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) launched the Direct-Seeded Rice Consortium (DSRC) as a global public–private partnership to accelerate innovation and adoption. Since its inception, DSRC has worked with governments, private partners, NGOs, and farmers to develop solutions that make DSR both viable and scalable. Across Phases I & II (2018–2023), DSRC advanced mechanized agronomic and w**d management practices, optimized water and nutrient inputs, mapped suitable areas, and strengthened stakeholders' capacities. Phase III (2025–2027) now targets large-scale adoption through innovation, partnerships, and sustainable business models.

DSR Conclave 2025 represents a pivotal gathering to advance this agenda. By bringing together scientists, policymakers, private sector leaders, NGOs, and farmer representatives, the conclave will serve as a platform to share knowledge, shape enabling policies, explore business opportunities, and chart a collaborative roadmap for making DSR a global success story.