Retired IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu introduces Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB), a water-saving paddy cultivation technique in Punjab. This innovative method reduces groundwater depletion, cuts costs, and promotes sustainable agriculture.

Born and raised in the fertile fields of Punjab, Kahan Singh Pannu connection to agriculture runs deep. Farming has been an intrinsic part of his life since childhood.

However, beneath the once-lush green paddy fields of Punjab, a silent crisis is unfolding. Known as the breadbasket of India, the state is grappling with alarming groundwater depletion. According to recent data from the Central Groundwater Board, Punjab groundwater levels could plummet below 1,000 feet by 2039—a crisis driven by decades of over-extraction.

“This severe decline is a direct result of Punjab over-exploitation of groundwater, which has been happening for decades,” Kahan Singh Pannu explains.

Rice cultivation dominates Punjab agricultural landscape, covering 87% of the state total area during the Kharif season. As the highest extractor of groundwater in India, Punjab uses a staggering 97% of its groundwater for irrigation—primarily for paddy farming.

Kahan Singh Pannu, deeply aware of this mounting crisis, has witnessed firsthand the alarming depletion of groundwater in his native village, Jai Nagar. Determined to find a solution, he set out to revolutionize traditional paddy farming with a more water-efficient approach.

The declining water table poses a severe threat, not only to crops but also to entire communities whose livelihoods rely on agriculture. If left unaddressed, this crisis could jeopardize food security and the future of farming in Punjab.

Amidst this crisis, retired IAS officer Kahan Singh, armed with a deep-rooted understanding of agriculture, is offering a beacon of hope. His innovative paddy cultivation method slashes water usage to just 25%, paving the way for a more sustainable future in farming.

Tackling Punjab Water Crisis Head-On

Kahan Singh, a 1996-batch IAS officer, retired in 2020 after an illustrious career, including his tenure as Punjab Secretary of Agriculture. His deep concern for the state depleting water resources drove him to take action.

“The water in Punjab aquifers is depleting at an unsustainable rate, primarily due to paddy cultivation—ironically, a crop that is not even native to the region. The data and trends over the past few decades have been alarming,” he explains.

Rather than stand by as Punjab most critical resource dwindled, Kahan Singh took it upon himself to find a sustainable solution—one that would allow agriculture to thrive while safeguarding groundwater for future generations.

The SRB Technique

With a strong academic foundation in agriculture and decades of hands-on experience, 64-year-old Kahan Singh Pannu developed the Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB) technique—a breakthrough method that slashes water usage in paddy farming by up to 75%.

“Traditional paddy cultivation demands vast amounts of standing water, often requiring up to 4,000 litres to produce just one kilogram of rice. Farmers flood their fields throughout the growing season to suppress weeds, but this practice is rapidly depleting groundwater,” he explains.

A Game-Changer for Sustainable Farming

Leveraging his vast network and expertise from years of public service, Kahan Singh partnered with local agricultural equipment manufacturers to create the SRB device—an innovative machine that simultaneously prepares raised beds and plants paddy seeds. This dual-function approach not only conserves water but also reduces labor costs and enhances planting accuracy, making sustainable rice farming more accessible.

How the SRB Technique Works

Explaining the process, Kahan Singh Pannu shares, “The machine prepares raised beds in the field while simultaneously planting the seeds. After ploughing, we simply let the machine do its job. Once the seeds germinate, water is supplied only in the furrows between the beds.”

He further elaborates, “Since the bed width is about two feet and the furrow width is one foot, water is applied only in these furrows as needed. This ensures that moisture reaches the roots without flooding the entire field.”

This targeted irrigation approach drastically cuts down water usage, requiring just 25% of the water traditionally needed for paddy farming—marking a significant step toward sustainable and water-efficient agriculture.

Weed Control in SRB Farming

Transitioning from conventional paddy farming to the Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB) technique came with its own set of challenges. The biggest hurdle? Effective weed control without relying on standing water.

“Weeds tend to germinate alongside paddy and compete for water and nutrients, which is why traditional farmers flood their fields to suppress them,” explains Kahan Singh Pannu. “To counter this, we use herbicide-tolerant seeds provided by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. These seeds effectively eliminate weeds, allowing the paddy to thrive within about 100 days. My experience with this approach has been truly rewarding.”

Proven Results Across Punjab

During the last growing season, the SRB technique was tested at 12 trial sites across Punjab, delivering promising results in both water conservation and crop productivity. “The yield matched that of traditional methods,” says Kahan Singh, who successfully harvested 28 quintals of paddy per acre using this innovative approach.

Saving Water, Scripting Success

Farmers like Jaswinder Singh from Lambra village, Hoshiarpur district, are already reaping the benefits. Last season, he used the SRB method on two acres and saw significant cost savings.

“I saved ₹8,000 per acre on irrigation and labor. Unlike conventional methods that require at least 20 rounds of irrigation, I only needed to water my field four times. Despite less irrigation, my yield remained the same,” shares Jaswinder, who harvested 24 quintals of rice from his farm.

With success stories like this, the SRB technique is proving to be a game-changer—reducing costs, conserving water, and ensuring Punjab agricultural future remains sustainable and resilient.

Farmers Embrace SRB for a Sustainable Future

Highlighting the growing water crisis in his village, Jaswinder Singh shares, “We rely on tubewells for water, but every year, we need more powerful motors to extract groundwater, which has now dropped to a depth of 280 feet.”

Despite this challenge, he sees hope in the Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB) technique. “This method allows farmers to achieve the same yield while cutting irrigation and labor costs. More importantly, it helps us conserve groundwater. Many farmers hesitate to try new methods, but I hope my success encourages them to adopt this approach,” says Jaswinder, who now plans to expand SRB-based paddy cultivation to four acres.

The Financial Advantage: Lower Costs, Higher Savings

The financial benefits of SRB are undeniable. “Farmers save around ₹8,000 per acre due to reduced labor and water needs, cutting cultivation costs by nearly half. This makes the technique highly attractive, especially for small and marginal farmers struggling with rising expenses,” he explains.

As word spreads, more farmers are eager to experiment with SRB. “Many are planning to expand usage to larger areas next season,” Jaswinder notes, signaling a shift toward more sustainable farming.

Preserving Punjab Agricultural Legacy

For Kahan Singh Pannu, this innovation is not just about farming—it about securing Punjab future. Reflecting on his early years, he recalls, “My childhood is filled with memories of wells—people drawing water, taking their livestock there, even bathing near them. Today, those wells are gone.”

With a determined smile, he adds, “I want to cultivate a new mindset among farmers—one that embraces regenerative, conservation-oriented agriculture. If we act now, we can ensure Punjab remains productive and prosperous for generations.”

As a retired IAS officer turned changemaker, Kahan Singh work is a powerful reminder that big solutions to global challenges can begin in a single village—with one person daring to make a difference.

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Edited by Gayathri