A series of six field days and three public harvest events on mechanized/precision direct-seeded rice (DSR) in Bargarh district were organized by DSR-Odisha and CSISA projects in collaboration with DAFE, KVK Bargarh, and AJKA NGO. These sites were in Paikmal (Sareikela village), Padampur (Sativata & Kudopali), Bhatli (Nalichuan) and Sohela (Ainlapali) blocks in Bargarh district between 31 October – 7 November 2022.

In the public harvest/mass crop cut events, at three spots in the mechanized DSR demonstration fields, crop cuts were done in a 5 m² area and threshed and cleaned to record yield data. Around 50-80 farmers in each event participated, along with officials from DAFE, KVK Bargarh, and local NGOs. A multi-crop seed-cum-fertilizer drill and a paddy power weeder were displayed at each field day site. The machines’ different parts and working principles were discussed and demonstrated in front of the participants. They were informed about mechanized/precision direct-seeded rice, its advantages over traditional establishment methods, and best management practices, including integrated weed management options in DSR.

In the interactive session with farmers, other stakeholders and experts, issues related to machine availability, service provision model, options of herbicide products, etc., were addressed. The participants on these field days also visited nearby cluster demonstration sites of the mechanized DSR layered with hybrid rice. Observing good crop stands, profuse tillers per hill, and the number of grains per panicle, the participating farmers expressed to cover larger cluster areas under DSR in their respective villages in the coming seasons. Some of these events were covered by the local daily as well.