Los Baños, The Philippines
February 6, 2025
The Direct Seeded Rice Consortium (DSRC) held its Phase III soft launch through an online meeting last January 27, bringing together DSRC members and stakeholders across rice research, development, and the private sector to move forward the consortium’s plans for expanding direct seeded rice solutions across Asia and Africa.
Direct seeding of rice, or DSR, is a crop establishment method of planting rice directly into the field instead of traditional transplanting. DSR offers multiple benefits, such as conserving water and labor, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and enhanced mechanization opportunities. DSRC is a public-private multi-stakeholder research for development platform established by IRRI in 2017 to improve the environmental and socioeconomic sustainability of DSR, through the development and scaling of innovations, practices, and methodologies that can facilitate wide-scale adoption of mechanized and precise DSR across Asia and Africa.
During the Phase III launch meeting, an overview of accomplishments for DSRC’s Phases I and II were presented, setting the stage for further innovations and partnerships in the Phase-III agenda. Members reported their commitment to addressing emerging challenges -- such as climate change impacts and the need for sustainable soil health, as well as their expectations for DSRC.
Various IRRI scientists gave research updates and presented the latest development and scaling efforts around the world. Dr. Virender Kumar gave a comprehensive review of DSRC’s progress, including increased DSR adoption in various Asian countries, as well as advancements in seed coating, mechanization, and water management technologies. Dr. Shalabh Dixit provided updates on IRRI’s DSR breeding program, particularly on DSR-specific varieties for upland and lowland systems. Dr. Panneerselvam Peramaiyan reported on how DSR is being scaled out in Uttar Pradesh through the India-World Bank UPAGRESS Project. Dr. Hung Van Nguyen gave updates on how mechanized DSR is being implemented in Vietnam through the 1 Million Hectare Program. Dr. Rica Joy Flor presented how Cambodia is scaling mechanized DSR through digital innovations like the Chamka app and partnerships with community organizations. Finally, Dr. Swati Nayak reported on how DSR seeds and agronomy are being scaled through the ScaleDirect Initiative in multiple countries in South and Southeast Asia.
Private sector members of DSRC also offered key learnings, updates, and new innovations. BASF presented on findings for integrated weed management for herbicide-tolerant rice, and also how DSR can be applied as a pathway for carbon accreditation programs. XAG highlighted how precision farming through robotics and AI can contribute to increased productivity and savings in DSR systems. Bayer Crop Science reported on DSR as part of their vision for Regenerative Agriculture, and provided updates on the ScaleDirect Initiative supporting DSR adoption. Corteva AgriScience showcased new biological and biostimulant innovations, as well as how they are expanding their DSR programs in various countries. Finally, Zydex Industries and String Bio presented biotech innovations for sustainable DSR.
IRRI Director-General Yvonne Pinto attended the launch and thanked the members for their continued commitment and collaboration with the consortium. “As a consortium, we share the goal of aligning our initiatives with global sustainability objectives. Achieving this will require collective technical support. To reach these targets, it is essential that we promote the widespread adoption of DSR. I am sincerely appreciative of our partners in the private sector who recognize this need and are willing to invest their time and resources in these efforts.
DSR represents an innovative approach that aligns with multiple goals. If implemented at scale and within an integrated set of sustainable agronomic approaches, DSR can play a vital role in our mission to transform agriculture into a more efficient and sustainable sector.”
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