Bayer has expanded its DirectAcres initiative to over 81,000 hectares, equivalent to more than 200,000 acres, in 2026, supporting farmers in adopting Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) cultivation.
DSR involves sowing seeds directly into fields rather than transplanting seedlings. Compared with conventional transplanted rice, the method has the potential to reduce water use by 30–40%, greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45% and reliance on manual labour by up to 50%, depending on local conditions and farming practices.
DirectAcres follows an integrated cropping-system approach, combining Bayer’s expertise in seeds, crop protection, digital farming solutions and agronomy with mechanisation and digital advisory services. The programme aims to address challenges such as weed management, machinery access and crop establishment, helping make DSR more accessible to smallholder farmers.
Commenting on the milestone, Simon Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division, Bayer, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, said, “Reaching more than 200,000 acres is more than a growth milestone. It demonstrates that Direct Seeded Rice can be scaled across diverse geographies and farming conditions when farmers have access to the right technologies, services and support. DirectAcres brings together Bayer’s integrated capabilities across seeds, crop protection, digital solutions and agronomy to enable this transition. Our ambition is to help farmers improve profitability and operational efficiency while advancing more resource-efficient rice production in India.”
Piloted in 2021, DirectAcres grew from 3,500 hectares in 2023 to 17,000 hectares in 2024, 46,000 hectares in 2025 and over 81,000 hectares in 2026. The initiative operates across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
DirectAcres forms part of Bayer’s broader regenerative agriculture efforts to promote productive, resource-efficient and resilient farming systems in India.
