Exciting news from Manila, Philippines! On UN World Food Day, Bayer made a major announcement at the 6th International Rice Congress. The company unveiled its direct-seeded rice (DSR) system, which promises to revolutionize rice cultivation and have a positive impact on the environment. This new method can reduce water use by up to 40 percent, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by up to 45 percent, and farmers’ dependency on manual labor by up to 50 percent.
DSR is poised to make a significant impact on rice cultivation in India, with an expected 75 percent of total rice fields transitioning to this method by 2040. In fact, Bayer has ambitious plans to introduce the DSR system to one million hectares in India by 2030, benefitting over two million smallholder rice farmers through its DirectAcres program.
The early results from DirectAcres have been extremely promising, with 99 percent of Indian farmers achieving successful plant establishment and 75 percent seeing a higher return on investment compared to traditional rice cultivation methods. Due to this success, Bayer has plans to expand DirectAcres to other rice growing countries in Asia Pacific, starting with the Philippines in 2024.
“We are building entire systems based on regenerative agriculture practices that create value for farmers and nature alike and that help address the issue of global food security,” said Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability at Bayer’s Crop Science division.
Bayer’s DSR system is not just an agricultural method, but a comprehensive system that includes seeds, crop protection, and digital solutions. By removing the need for standing water in rice fields, Bayer is implementing a more sustainable and efficient approach to rice farming. In addition, the company is developing new crop protection solutions, including a rice herbicide, to support the DSR system. Smallholder farmers will also benefit from Bayer’s digital platform FarmRise, which provides them with access to advisory services, necessary machinery, and other inputs.