IARI Pusa Develops Integrated Drip-Mulch Technology for Sustainable Baby Corn Cultivation in India

16 June 2025, New Delhi: In response to the growing water scarcity and challenges posed by climate change in traditional paddy cultivation, the Water Technology Centre (WTC) at IARI Pusa has developed an innovative solution — Integrated Drip-Mulch Technology. This advanced technique is proving highly effective for short-duration, water-efficient crops like baby corn, allowing farmers to optimize water use and nutrient management while supporting crop diversification and intensification — crucial needs in today’s changing climate.

Baby Corn after Paddy: Less Water, Shorter Duration, Higher Profits

Experts at IARI Pusa recommend that farmers shift from the conventional rice-based cropping system to crops that require less water and have shorter growth cycles. Baby corn has emerged as a promising alternative, with successful cultivation already taking place in states such as Western Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The crop also holds significant commercial potential due to increasing demand.

What is Integrated Drip-Mulch Technology?

The Water Technology Centre at IARI Pusa, in collaboration with Boroch Private Limited, Mumbai, has developed this innovative system by combining drip irrigation with plastic mulching. This integration minimizes water wastage and offers superior weed control.

Field trials conducted by IARI have demonstrated that this technology can increase baby corn yields by 10 to 15 percent compared to using drip or mulch alone. The integrated system not only enhances yields but also significantly improves Water Use Efficiency (WUE), Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE), and weed management.

Key Benefits of Baby Corn Cultivation

• Ready for harvest in just 65 to 70 days
• Suitable for cultivation in all seasons except winter
• Strong market demand with attractive prices
• Mulch costs are easily recovered through crop earnings
• Fits well into crop rotations, offering higher net returns

Why This Technology Is the Need of the Hour

India has approximately 140 million hectares of net sown area, but irrigation facilities cover only 55% (around 78 million hectares). With increasing pressure on water resources due to climate change, adopting short-duration, low-water-use crops and smart water management technologies is essential for the future of Indian agriculture.

IARI Pusa has urged farmers to adopt this innovative technology and promote paddy-baby corn-based cropping systems. This approach not only boosts farmer income but also ensures long-term sustainability of agriculture in India.

Also Read: Bayer Launches New Insecticide ‘Bicota’ for Managing Stem Borers in Paddy

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