In the face of Punjab’s deepening groundwater crisis, Kahan Singh Pannu, a retired IAS officer, has become a beacon of hope for sustainable farming. His innovative approach to paddy farming, known as the Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB) technique, is revolutionizing agriculture by reducing water usage by up to 75%. By taking a unique turn in his career, Pannu is showing how smart, conservation-focused techniques can not only combat environmental challenges but also help farmers save money and improve their yields.

The Water Crisis in Punjab: A Growing Challenge

Punjab, often hailed as the "Granary of India," is one of the country’s largest producers of rice. However, its success in farming has come at a significant environmental cost. The extensive use of groundwater for irrigation, combined with the overexploitation of water resources, has led to a sharp decline in the water table across the state. As a result, farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to access water, and the threat of depleting groundwater reserves looms large.

In this context, Kahan Singh Pannu’s innovative SRB technique has emerged as a game-changer for the agricultural community in Punjab. By adopting this method, farmers can now grow paddy using just a fraction of the water traditionally required for rice cultivation.

Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB): A Game-Changing Technique

The Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB) technique is a water-efficient method of growing rice that involves sowing rice seedlings on raised beds instead of conventional flooded fields. The key feature of this technique is that it drastically reduces the amount of water needed for cultivation.

Here’s how the SRB technique works:

  1. Raised Beds for Planting: Instead of traditional flooded fields, rice is planted on raised beds that are about 4-6 inches higher than the surrounding ground. These beds help in better water drainage and reduce evaporation losses, ensuring that water is used more efficiently.

  2. Minimal Water Usage: By controlling the water flow and irrigation system, the SRB method uses just 25% of the water compared to traditional methods. This drastically reduces the pressure on Punjab’s groundwater resources.

  3. Improved Plant Health: The technique also offers better root development and improved soil aeration, leading to healthier rice plants and higher yields.

  4. Cost-Effective Farming: By using less water and requiring fewer resources, farmers can save on irrigation costs. The method has been proven to be cost-effective, making it accessible for small and marginal farmers who often struggle with high input costs.

The Journey from IAS to Farming

Kahan Singh Pannu’s story is not just about his successful implementation of the SRB technique, but also about his remarkable journey from being a civil servant to becoming a pioneer in sustainable agriculture. After retiring from the Indian Administrative Service, Pannu could have chosen a quiet life, but his passion for agriculture and the growing environmental concerns pushed him to seek innovative solutions.

Having observed the rising challenges in Punjab's agriculture, particularly the crisis of water scarcity, Pannu was determined to find a solution. Through his extensive research, consultations with agricultural experts, and hands-on experimentation on his farm, he developed the SRB technique.

Inspiring Change and Advocating for Sustainable Farming

Pannu's success with SRB is more than just an agricultural achievement—it is a message of hope for the future of farming. His work is encouraging other farmers in Punjab and across India to consider conservation-focused practices that can help protect and preserve vital resources like water.

Pannu has taken his innovation to various farmer groups, helping them understand the importance of water-efficient farming and showing them how they can reduce water use while increasing productivity. His hands-on training programs, workshops, and demonstrations have enabled farmers to adopt the SRB method and realize its benefits.

In addition to saving water, the SRB method has improved soil quality and plant growth, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional rice cultivation techniques. Farmers who have adopted the method report not only reduced water usage but also higher crop yields and greater profitability.

A Step Toward Sustainable Agriculture

Kahan Singh Pannu’s SRB technique is helping to shift Punjab's agricultural landscape towards more sustainable, water-efficient farming practices. His initiative is a testament to how a single individual’s passion for change can make a lasting impact on an entire community.

The SRB method is also gaining attention from policymakers and agricultural researchers across India as a model for combating the growing crisis of groundwater depletion in water-scarce regions. As more farmers turn to the SRB technique, it is helping to reduce Punjab’s reliance on groundwater and pave the way for a more sustainable future for agriculture in the state.

Conclusion: A New Hope for the Future

In a time when traditional agricultural practices are no longer viable due to environmental challenges, Kahan Singh Pannu’s SRB technique offers a ray of hope. By reducing water usage by 75%, this innovative farming method is helping farmers conserve one of their most precious resources while boosting crop yields and reducing input costs.

Pannu’s journey from a retired IAS officer to a pioneering farmer shows that with innovation and commitment, it is possible to not only protect the environment but also empower farmers to thrive in the face of adversity. His work with the SRB technique is helping to shape a more sustainable future for agriculture in Punjab and beyond.