https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Saving Punjab’s Water: Retired IAS Officer Kahan Pannu’s Game-Changing Rice Technique

Facing an impending environmental catastrophe, Punjab’s future depends on innovative agricultural solutions. Retired IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu’s SRB technique could be the lifeline to save water and sustain rice farming.
Indian Masterminds Stories

As Punjab faces an alarming environmental disaster due to its rapidly depleting groundwater levels, an innovative solution has emerged. Retired IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu, a pioneer in agricultural reform, has introduced the Seeding of Rice on Beds (SRB) technique, which drastically reduces the water needed to grow rice. With groundwater levels expected to deplete entirely in the next 15 years, Pannu’s solution could offer a lifeline to Punjab’s agricultural future.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer shared details about the same.

THE WATER CRISIS IN PUNJAB

Punjab’s groundwater table is depleting at an alarming rate. Experts warn that the state’s groundwater could completely dry up to depths of 1,000 feet in just 15 years, posing a severe threat to the region’s agricultural foundation and overall sustainability. The primary culprit is the cultivation of paddy (rice), a water-intensive crop traditionally grown during the summer months.

One kilogram of rice grown using traditional methods consumes nearly 5,000 liters of water. This high water demand is largely due to the puddling technique, where fields are flooded to create artificial ponds. These waterlogged conditions result in significant water loss, particularly during the summer when evapotranspiration rates are highest.

“This method has led to a vicious cycle of water overuse that is pushing Punjab’s environment to the brink,” shared the officer.

THE SRB TECHNIQUE: A GAME-CHANGER

Mr. Pannu, an alumnus of Punjab Agricultural University and former Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Punjab, has introduced the SRB technique to address this issue. The method involves directly sowing rice seeds on raised beds, eliminating the need for standing water. Instead, water is applied only in the furrows between the beds, reducing the crop’s water consumption by a staggering 75%.

“By using the SRB method, rice can grow using moisture alone. The roots receive enough water through the furrows, while the raised beds allow air, light, and space for the plant to grow to its full potential,” he told Indian Masterminds.

The beds, which are 18 to 22 inches wide, accommodate two rows of rice plants with a 10 to 12-inch gap between rows. This structure ensures that the plants receive optimum sunlight and ventilation, allowing them to flourish. According to Mr. Pannu, rice sown using SRB requires only 25% of the water used in traditional puddling techniques.

IMPACT ON LABOR AND COSTS

The SRB method not only addresses water usage but also reduces dependency on labor, particularly migrant labor, which is typically required for transplanting rice seedlings. The SRB technique eliminates the need for transplantation, thus decreasing labor costs for farmers.

Mr. Pannu has also developed an affordable SRB sowing machine, which can be easily acquired by village cooperatives.

“Our goal is to make this technology accessible to everyone,” Mr. Pannu says. “This machine is cost-effective and can be shared within communities, further reducing the financial burden on individual farmers.”

TRIALS AND SUCCESS STORIES

Initial trials of the SRB technique, conducted by Pannu in various regions of Punjab, have yielded positive results. Farmers have reported yields of approximately 32 quintals per acre, comparable to the yields achieved through traditional methods.

“The SRB technique is not just about saving water; it’s about enhancing the overall sustainability of rice cultivation. With less water, less labour, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions, this method can transform rice farming in Punjab,” he told Indian Masterminds.

One of the most significant environmental benefits of SRB is the reduction of methane emissions. When rice is grown in standing water, anaerobic conditions lead to the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. SRB eliminates the need for standing water, thereby reducing methane emissions. Additionally, SRB improves soil health by keeping soil pores open, which facilitates better rainwater recharge and supports microbial activity in the root zone.

A LEGACY OF AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION

Mr. Pannu’s contribution to sustainable agriculture is not new. He was instrumental in drafting the Punjab Preservation of Sub Soil Water Act in 2009, a key piece of legislation aimed at conserving groundwater. During his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, he introduced the laser land leveller, an imported machine from Italy, which further contributed to water conservation in farming.

In 2012, Pannu played a crucial role in introducing Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), a technique that also reduces water usage in rice cultivation. However, the SRB method, which Mr. Pannu began promoting during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019-20, takes water conservation a step further.

“The SRB method is an evolution of DSR,” he explains. “It requires even less water, while achieving the same results. With SRB, we are not just protecting the present but securing the future of Punjab’s agriculture.”

A HOPEFUL FUTURE FOR PUNJAB

As Punjab stares down a potential environmental disaster, Kahan Singh Pannu’s SRB technique offers a glimmer of hope. By drastically reducing water consumption, lowering labor costs, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, SRB has the potential to revolutionize rice cultivation in Punjab. Pannu’s legacy as an innovator in sustainable agriculture continues to grow, offering solutions to one of the region’s most pressing crises.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar’s Bold Leap: CM Nitish Kumar Pledges 1 Crore Jobs and Women’s Empowerment Boost
8th pay commission
Big Breaking! 8th Pay Commission May Merge DA With Basic Pay: A Historic Salary Reform Set to Reshape Government Pay Structure
ONGC_resized
ONGC Launches 2025 Apprenticeship Program with 2,623 Vacancies — Empowering India’s Youth for Energy Sector Careers
PNB-resized
PNB Unlocks Rs 1,007 Crore by Selling 10% Stake in Canara HSBC Life Ahead of IPO — Strategic Move to Strengthen Core Operations
ONGC_resized
India’s State-Run Oil Giants Invest Rs 46,600 Crore in Five Months — ONGC and IOC Lead Push for Energy Infrastructure Growth
CIL & IIT Madras Tie Up
Coal India and IIT Madras Join Forces to Launch ‘Centre for Sustainable Energy’ — A Major Step Toward India’s Net-Zero Future
Rajasthan-Police
Rajasthan: 34 IPS Senior Officers Transferred in Major Reshuffle; New DG Post Created in SOG-ATS, Sachin Mittal Made New Police Commissioner of Jaipur
IRTS logo
Senior IRTS Officer Ranjan Prakash Thakur Prematurely Repatriated from ONGC to Parent Cadre for Promotion
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar’s Bold Leap: CM Nitish Kumar Pledges 1 Crore Jobs and Women’s Empowerment Boost
8th pay commission
Big Breaking! 8th Pay Commission May Merge DA With Basic Pay: A Historic Salary Reform Set to Reshape Government Pay Structure
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT