14 October 2026, New Delhi: Bayer’s DirectAcres programme has expanded to more than 81,000 hectares (200,000 acres) in 2026, up from 3,500 hectares in 2023. The programme promotes direct-seeded rice (DSR) through an integrated cropping system approach.
DSR can help reduce water use by 30–40%, greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45% and dependence on agricultural labour by up to 50% compared with conventional transplanting, according to Bayer. Actual results may vary depending on location, farming practices and field conditions.
The programme addresses challenges associated with conventional rice cultivation, including pressure on water resources, rising cultivation costs and labour shortages. Rather than promoting DSR as a standalone technology, DirectAcres combines seeds and traits, crop protection, digital farming solutions and agronomic advisory services with appropriate mechanisation.
The initiative connects farmers and local agricultural entrepreneurs with mechanisation partners, digital advisory services and public- and private-sector organisations. It also seeks to address barriers to DSR adoption, including weed management, access to machinery and farm-level operational requirements, particularly for smallholders.
Commenting on the programme’s expansion, Simon Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science, Bayer for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, said the milestone reflects the potential to expand DSR adoption across different geographies and farm conditions when farmers have access to the required technologies, services and support.
Launched as a pilot in 2021, DirectAcres has expanded from 3,500 hectares in 2023 to 17,000 hectares in 2024, 46,000 hectares in 2025 and more than 81,000 hectares in 2026.
The programme operates across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Bayer said it will continue to expand the programme’s capabilities and partnerships to support the adoption of resource-efficient rice cultivation practices in India.
DirectAcres is part of Bayer’s broader regenerative agriculture efforts, which focus on promoting productive, resource-efficient and resilient farming practices.
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