Introduction and Significance

Paddy, which yields rice upon milling, serves as the very foundation of India's food security and agrarian economy. As the staple food for over half the nation's population, its cultivation is central to the agricultural landscape, especially during the Kharif season. The crop thrives in the fertile alluvial plains and deltaic regions, with West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu being the leading producers of rice. Its economic significance is monumental, providing nourishment and livelihood to millions of rural households. Moreover, the government's procurement of paddy for the Public Distribution System (PDS) underpins national food security, while the export of premium varieties like Basmati contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings. Nutritionally, rice is the primary and most affordable source of carbohydrates and calories, providing the essential energy that fuels the nation's workforce.

Despite its importance, paddy cultivation faces a host of challenges. Foremost among them is its intensive water requirement, which makes farmers acutely vulnerable to the unpredictable monsoon, use of groundwater for irrigation which contributes to the depletion of groundwater. Furthermore, the crop faces a persistent threat from pests like the stem borer and brown plant hopper, alongside devastating diseases such as bacterial blight and blast, which can severely curtail yields. Economic pressures compound these issues, stemming from volatile market prices that often fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), escalating input costs, and substantial post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage and transport infrastructure. In northern India, the management of paddy straw presents a critical challenge, often leading to the environmentally harmful practice of stubble burning.