Kharif Rice Research Articles

Analysing the Impact of the Southwest Monsoon on Kharif Rice Acreage in the Raipur District Using Microwave Remote Sensing

This study utilized Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from Sentinel-1 to estimate the kharif paddy acreage in the Raipur district. The unique capability of microwaves to penetrate clouds enabled the mapping of paddy fields even during the monsoon season. Supervised classification based on training samples was employed to delineate paddy fields. The results demonstrated that the estimated paddy area closely matched the reported area, with error percentages of 5.3% and 8.6% in 2017 and 2019, respectively. The analysis of data from 2011 to 2019 revealed a consistent decline in both paddy acreage and rainfall during that period. Furthermore, the block-level analysis indicated significant spatial variations, with the Arang blocks having the largest paddy cover and the Raipur block the least. Moreover, a strong correlation was observed between southwest monsoon rainfall and the kharif rice cultivation, with paddy acreage decreasing during SW monsoon deficit years. These findings shed light on the impact of monsoons on rice cultivation and can guide agricultural planning and water resource management strategies in the region.

Impact of Kharif Rice Establishment Systems and Succeeding Tillage Practices on Rooting Behaviour of Succeeding Chickpea, Blackgram and Mustard

Background: The present experiment was designed to evaluate the role of emerging rice establishment systems compared with succeeding tillage practices in supporting the rooting behaviour of chickpea, blackgram and mustard grown in succession. Methods: The current experiment was conducted in kharif followed by rabi during 2021-22 and 2022-23 in a split-split plot design with three rice establishment methods as main plots during kharif followed by two tillage systems as sub plots and in each sub plot, chickpea, blackgran and mustard were grown as sub-sub plot during rabi, after the harvest of kharif rice. Results: Rabi crops grown after dry direct seeded rice following conventional tillage has recorded highest root length and root volume in chickpea (23.83 and 22.97 cm; 13.57 and 13.13 cc), blackgram (20.70 and 20.13 cm; 12.43 and 12.03 cc) and mustard (37.43 and 36.27 cm; 21.50 and 20.80 cc) during successive years of study i.e., 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively.

Influence of Spacing, Age of Seedling and Bio NPK Consortium on growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Transplanted Rice

A field experiment was carried out during kharif season of the year 2021 at Paddy Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Dabhoi, Gujarat to investigate the influence of spacing, age of seedling and Bio NPK consortium on growth, yield attributes and yield of transplanted kharif rice. The texture of experimental soil was sandy clay it was low in available N (219.68 kg/ha), medium in available P2O5 (28.43 kg/ha), available K2O (183.00 kg/ha) and organic carbon (0.42%) with pH (7.49) and EC (0.39 dS/m). Twelve treatment combinations comprising of two spacing viz., S1 (20 × 15 cm) and S2 (25 × 25 cm), three age of seedlings viz., A1 (15 days old seedling), A2 (25 days old seedling) and A3 (35 days old seedling) and two Bio NPK consortium viz., B1 (with Bio NPK consortium) and B2 (without Bio NPK consortium), tested in split plot design which was replicated thrice. The result showed that rice crop transplanted at S2 (25 × 25 cm spacing) recorded significantly higher, number of tillers/m2 (335/m2), number of panicle/m2 (272.72/m2), panicle length (27.83 cm), panicle weight (7.01 g), number of grains(207.89/panicle, grain yield (5477 kg/ha) and straw yield (8957 kg/ha). However, transplanting of 15 days old seedling (A1) gave significantly higher number of tillers/m2 (335.08/m2), number of panicle/m2 (267.92 /m2), panicle length (26.67 cm), panicle weight (6.54 g), number of grains (201/panicle, grain yield (5200 kg/ha) and straw yield (8928 kg/ha) and remained at par with transplanting of 25 days old seedling. Seedling treated with Bio NPK consortium was not effective.

Residual Effect of Nutrient Management Practices in Lowland Rice Varieties on Growth, Productivity, Economics and Nutrient Uptake of Succeeding Black Gram in Rice–Black Gram Cropping Sequence

A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons (December–March) of 2019–20 and 2020–21 to study the residual effect of nutrient management practices in lowland kharif rice varieties on succeeding black gram variety PU 31. The experiment was set in split plot design with four rice varieties in main plots (viz. CR 1009 sub-1, CR 1018, Pooja and Upahar) and six nutrient management practices in sub-plots [(viz. Control, 100% Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF: 80-40-40 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1), 50% RDF+FYM (@ 8 t ha-1), 50% RDF+Sesbania green manuring (@ 1.5 t ha-1), Rice crop manager (115.5 -32.7-52.8- 25.0 kg N, P2O5, K2O, ZnSO4 ha-1+FYM @ 3 t ha-1) and Real time nitrogen management (RDF+customised leaf colour chart (CLCC)] and each treatment was replicated thrice. Among different nutrient management practices in rice, rice crop manager exhibited highest number of pods plant-1 (31.3), seeds pod-1 (7.8), 1000 seed weight (39.6 g), seed yield (877 kg ha-1), haulm yield (2512 kg ha-1), gross return (Rs. 51352 ha-1), net return (`Rs. 38947 ha-1) and return Rs.`-1 invested (`Rs. 4.14) and highest uptake of N (78.83 kg ha-1), P (7.60 kg ha-1) and K (53.09 kg ha-1) in residual black gram. This was at par with 50% RDF+FYM @ 8 t ha-1 and significantly higher than all other nutrient managements in preceding rice. So, nutrient management as per rice crop manger and 50% RDF+8 t FYM ha-1 to the preceding rice crop had significant residual influence in achieving highest yield and economic returns from succeeding black gram in rice-black gram cropping sequence.

Different statistical models based on weather parameters in Navsari district of Gujarat

Agriculture plays very important role in development of country. Rice is a staple food for more than half of world’s population. Timely and reliable forecasting provides vital and appropriate input, foresight and informed planning. The present investigation was carried out to forecast Kharif rice yield using two different statistical techniques, viz., discriminant function analysis and logistic regression analysis. The statistical models were developed using data from 1990 to 2012 and validation of developed models was done by using remaining data, i.e., 2013 to 2016. It was observed that value of adjusted R2 varied from 73.00 per cent to 93.30 per cent in different models. The best forecast model was selected based on high value of adjusted R2, Forecast error and RMSE. Based on obtained results in Navsari district, the discriminant function analysis technique (Model-5) was found better than logistic regression analysis (Model-12) for pre-harvest forecasting of rice crop yield. The results revealed that Model-5 showed comparatively low forecast error (%) along with highest value of Adj. R2 (93.30) and lowest value of RMSE (120.07). Also Model-5 is able to generate yield forecast a week earlier (39thSMW) than Model-12 (40thSMW).

Crop establishment methods and weed management practices influence the productivity and profitability of Kharif rice (Oryza sativa L.) in a hot-humid summer climatic conditions

Crop establishment methods and weed management practices influence the productivity and profitability of Kharif rice (Oryza sativa L.) in a hot-humid summer climatic conditions

Discrimination and monitoring of rice cultural types using dense time series of Sentinel-1 SAR data

Details about the spatial extent of rice cultivation in different seasons are essential for ensuring global food security as well as addressing environmental issues and climate change. This study aims to introduce a novel approach to discriminate between different rice cultural types and subtypes and identify their optimum stages to represent crop growth profiles using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. Dense time series Sentinel-1 SAR backscatter data were analyzed at 12 days intervals throughout the growth period of summer and kharif rice. Statistical analysis using ANOVA at 5% level of significance was conducted to identify the critical stages of discrimination for all cultural types and subtypes. Knowledge-based decision tree algorithm was employed to classify all major types of rice grown during summer and kharif season. A comprehensive analysis revealed significant variations in backscatter profiles among different rice types. The most critical period for effectively distinguishing between various rice cultural types and subtypes was found to be from transplanting to tillering stage. Decision tree algorithm was able to discriminate between rice cultural types and subtypes with high overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient, viz., 94.74% and 0.94 for summer rice and 91.80% and 0.90 for kharif rice, respectively. The findings of this study revealed that C-band co and cross-polarized Sentinel-1 data have the potential to detect differences between different cultural types and subtypes of rice and, therefore, will be helpful in crop growth monitoring and agro-ecological change detection in the cultivation pattern.

BGREI Impact on Productivity & Income from Rice: Western Vs. Northern Odisha

The article provides a comparison of the impact of the BGREI on rice productivity and income in the western and northern portions of Odisha in 2016–17. After consulting with scientists of ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack, 2 districts Mayurbhanj and Bargarh were selected as the research location. Two blocks from each district, 4 villages from each block were taken into consideration purposively and 10 farmers were selected randomly. Two pre-tested questionnaires were administered separately to the randomly selected beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries to collect the required data. After analysis of the data, it was observed that there is an increase of 8.83 quintals/acre (61.92%) in the productivity of Kharif rice in western Odisha, whereas in northern Odisha it is 6.1 quintals/acre (60.10%). Likewise, in case of Income from Kharif rice, there is an increment of Rs.12980/acre in western Odisha, whereas in northern Odisha it is Rs.8967/acre. After a critical statistical study, it was also clarified that there is no such major difference in the impact of BGREI on the income of rice farmers and productivity of rice, based on the location (i.e. between western Odisha and northern Odisha). It can be said that there is no such biasness in the BGREI scheme implemented areas of Odisha.

Low Cost Zero till In situ Green Manuring for Kharif Rice-A Success Story

Low cost zero till in situ green manuring using plant species like dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) and sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) will eliminate the age old problems of large scale adoption of green manuring across the farming community. These two species germinated and grown well when sown before (as paira crop during last irrigation) or after rice harvest under zero till condition, with assured nor western rain/monsoon rain or with one post sowing irrigation (7.5 cm). The zero till paira dhaincha green manuring process opened up the scope of producing green manuring at lower cost and saves up to Rs.15000/ha over conventional rain fed green manuring system. Green manuring by dhaincha produced 50-60 tonnes of biomass at 35-40 DAS in alluvial (North 24 PGS), lateritic (Purulia) and clay soils (Paschim Medinipur), produced 30-50 q raw rice /ha and saved 20-27 kg (30 per cent) chemical nitrogen/ha. This green manure will help in quicker decomposition of rice straw left after combined harvest (3.5- 6,0 t/ha), minimise its field burning, sequester enough carbon to the soil. Fifty tonnes green biomass of dhaincha/sunnhemp, has the potential to absorb 15 tonnes CO2 from the atmosphere, sequesters 2 tonnes of carbon in soil, minimise environmental pollution, improve soil health, its structure and water holding capacity. This technique can be adopted in rice growing countries across the globe without difficulty. Seed production dhaincha and sunnhemp is possible by growing it as paira crop (40 kg/ha) within kharif rice which grows up to 45 cm height, produces healthy pods and matures by 70 days which otherwise takes 5-8 months in normal season. If the seed crop is not harvested in rice fallows, from shattered seeds, self-seeded zero till and rain fed dhaincha manure can be obtained in rice fallows.

Growth, nodulation, yield, nitrogen uptake, and economics of lentil as influenced by sowing time, tillage, and management practices

Crop management practices and variety are two very important parameters that decides the crop performance. A field experiment was carried out during the two consecutive rabi seasons of 2018–19 and 2019–20 to determine the impact of sowing timing, tillage operation, and variety on the growth, development, yield characteristics, and nitrogen uptake in lentil crops. The experiment was conducted in a split-split plot design with 3 replications comprising two different sowing conditions (S1: early sowing after harvesting of short duration kharif rice, S2: delayed sowing after harvesting of long duration kharif rice) in main plots, three different tillage operations (T1: Relay cropping, T2: Zero tillage, T3: Conventional tillage) in subplots and two different varieties (V1: short duration: L4717, V2: long period: Moitri) in subplots. The findings demonstrated a substantial interaction between sowing time, tillage, and variety on various growth and yield parameters of lentil crops. The early sowing of lentil crops (early November) yielded 4.8% more (1,105 kg ha−1) than late November sowing and adapting to the short-duration variety L4717 over the long-duration cultivar Moitri resulted in a yield increase of 5.9% (1,086 kg ha−1). Apart from providing a higher yield, it also provided an opportunity to take another crop like leafy vegetables. Among the three tillage practices adopted, conventional tillage produced the lowest yield (1,017 kg ha−1) in both experimental years. In contrast, a yield increase of 6.9% and 26.9% in relay cropping and zero tillage systems was observed, respectively. Early-sown lentils with no-tillage and a short-duration variety reached a certain phenophase faster than other combinations (life cycle: 96.2 and 98.7 days for lentils in both years). For both the sowing times, the growth parameters and the number of nodules plant−1 were highly correlated with nitrogen uptake at different stages of the life cycle. High net returns (Rs. 51,220 and 59,257) leading to higher benefit-cost ratios were observed under the treatment combination of early sowing + zero tillage + short duration variety. Therefore, the study found that short-duration lentil cultivars in combination with early sowing in the zero-tillage system are the best agronomic approach for the sustainability of lentil production after the monsoon rice harvest.

Yield, water, and carbon footprint of rainfed rice production under the lens of mid-century climate change: a case study in the eastern coastal agro-climatic zone, Odisha, India.

Water and carbon footprint assessment can be a good indicator of sustainable agricultural production. The present research quantifies the potential impact of near-future (2026-2050) climate change on water footprint (WF) and carbon footprint (CF) of farm-level kharif rice production of three locally grown varieties (Khandagiri, Lalat, and Swarna) in Odisha, India, under the two RCP scenarios of 4.5 and 8.5. The crop yield, water resources utilization, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated using the calibrated and validated DSSAT crop simulation model. The precipitation and temperature estimates from three regional climate models (RCM), namely HadGEM3-RA, RegCM4, and YSU-RSM were downscaled using the quantile mapping method. The results revealed a considerably high increase in the total WF of the Khandagiri, Lalat, and Swarna rice varieties elevating up to 101.9%, 80.7%, and 71.8% respectively during the mid-century for RCP 4.5 scenario, and 67.3%, 66.6%, and 67.2% respectively for RCP 8.5 scenario relative to the baseline WF. Moreover, compared to the green WF, the blue WF was projected to increase significantly (~ 250-450%) in the future time scales. This could be attributed to increasing minimum temperature (~ 1.7°C) and maximum temperature (~ 1.5°C) and reduced precipitation during the rice-growing periods. Rice yield was projected to continually decline in the future period (2050) with respect to the baseline (1980-2015) by 18.8% and 20% under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios respectively. The maximum CF of Swarna, Lalat, and Khandagiri rice were estimated to be 3.2, 2.8, and 1.3 t CO2eq/t respectively under RCP 4.5 and 2.7, 2.4, and 1.3 t CO2eq/t respectively under RCP 8.5 scenario. Fertilizer application (40%) followed by irrigation-energy use (30%) and farmyard manure incorporation (26%) were the three major contributors to the CF of rice production. Subsequently, management of N-fertilizer dose was identified as the major mitigation hotspot, simultaneously reducing carbon footprint and grey water footprint in the crop production process.

Species composition, occurrence pattern and seasonal incidence of rice leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis spp.) on kharif rice under Terai agro-ecological conditions of Northern Parts of West Bengal

Species composition, occurrence pattern and seasonal incidence of rice leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis spp.) on kharif rice under Terai agro-ecological conditions of Northern Parts of West Bengal

Floristic composition and distribution of weeds in different crop ecosystems of Rewa in India

The present communication pertains to major weeds of different crop ecosystems of Rewa in India. The study was based on extensive and intensive fields surveys made during different months of rainy and dry season 2020-2022. Surveys were made in five important crops ecosystems of total eight developmental blocks of Rewa district during both Kharif and Rabi seasons of the year. Vegetation data were collected followed by quadrat methods and analyzed for density, frequency, diversity and importance value index (IVI) for each crop ecosystems. Interspecific association was also analyzed for ten dominant weed species followed by Cole’s index. During this period, a total of 82 weed species were reported of which 56 species were recorded from the transplanted Kharif rice fields, while 61 weed species were recorded from the Rabi crop fields. The five dominant weed families in the study area were Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Onagraceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae.

Analysis of Potential Yield and Yield gap of Kharif Rice in Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh using CERES-Rice Model

Analysis of Potential Yield and Yield gap of Kharif Rice in Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh using CERES-Rice Model

Growth and Yield of Rice as Influenced by Nitrogen and Water Management Approaches

Achieving sustainability of the rice production in the irrigated areas in eastern India in general and Odisha in particular, under progressive climate change and variability, necessitates adoption of practices and technologies that increase food production, adaptation and mitigation in a feasible way. A field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years during 2020-21 and 2021-22 with kharif rice in the research farm of OUAT, Bhubaneswar. The experiment was conducted in a strip plot design having four each of water and nitrogen management approaches replicated four times. All the growth attributes like plant height, tillers/hill, LAI and dry matter production were superior under 3DADPW and INM treatments in water and nitrogen management approaches, respectively. Rotational irrigation 3 DADPW in rice resulted in higher grain yield (5.28 t/ha) followed by soil saturation. Similarly, INM practices comprising of Green manuring + 75% STBNR produced higher grain yield (5.45 t/ha) as compared to other N-management options and was closely followed by STBNR.

Impact of Site Specific Nitrogen Management on Growth Parameters, Productivity and Profitability of Kharif rice

A field experiment was carried out during kharif 2021 (June-November) and 2022 (June-November) at the Agronomy Main Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with twelve treatments i.e. T1-RDF (80:40:40 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1), T2 - 20 kg N ha-1 at LCC score <4 with no basal N, T3 - 20 kg N ha-1 at LCC score <4 with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal, T4 - 20 g N ha-1 at SPAD value <35 with no basal N, T5- 20 kg N ha-1 at SPAD value <35 with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal, T6- 20 kg N ha-1 at Green seeker (GS) >1.25 RI with no basal N, T7- 20 kg N ha-1 at Green seeker (GS) >1.25 RI with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal, T8- 150 kg N ha-1 (N rich strip plot), T9- N omission plot, T10- STBN, T11- INM (20 kg N ha-1 as FYM at basal + 40 kg N ha-1 at tillering + 20 kg N ha-1 at PI stage), T12- Organic nutrient (FYM 10t ha-1 at basal + 2t ha-1 VC top dressing). Pooled analysis revealed that application of 20 kg N ha-1 at Green seeker (GS) >1.25 RI with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal recorded maximum dry matter accumulation (1194.1 g m-2), larger leaf area index (3.30), highest number of tillers (381 m-2) at harvest and maximum CGR of 18.73 g m-2 day-1 during 60 to 80 DAT followed by the treatment receiving 20 Kg N ha-1 at SPAD value <35 with 20 Kg N ha-1 at basal. Combined analysis of both years showed that application of 20 kg N ha-1 at Green seeker (GS) >1.25 RI with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal recorded significantly higher grain yield (5.68 t ha-1), straw yield (6.57 t ha-1) and harvest index (47 %) with maximum net return 55982 Rs ha-1 and B:C ratio 1.82.

Effect of Site Specific Nitrogen Management on Grain Quality and Productivity of kharif Rice

A field study was carried out during kharif at the Agronomy Main Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar with the crop rice. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with twelve site specific nitrogen management practices i.e. T1-RDF (80:40:40 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1), T2 - 20 kg N ha-1 at LCC score <4 with no basal N, T3 - 20 kg N ha-1 at LCC score <4 with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal, T4 - 20 g N ha-1 at SPAD value <35 with no basal N, T5- 20 kg N ha-1 at SPAD value <35 with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal, T6- 20 kg N ha-1 at Green seeker (GS) >1.25 RI with no basal N, T7- 20 kg N ha-1 at Green seeker (GS) >1.25 RI with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal, T8- 150 kg N ha-1 (N rich strip plot), T9- N omission plot, T10- STBN, T11- INM (20 kg N ha-1 as FYM at basal + 40 kg N ha-1 at tillering + 20 kg N ha-1 at PI stage), T12- Organic nutrient (FYM 10t ha-1 at basal + 2t ha-1 VC top dressing). The result of the experiment revealed that protein and carbohydrate yield were higher with application of 20 kg N ha-1 at Green seeker (GS) >1.25 RI with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal (410.4 and 4135.1 kg ha-1, respectively) followed by the treatment receiving 20 Kg N ha-1 at SPAD value <35 with 20 Kg N ha-1 at basal (395.5 and 3977.2 kg ha-1, respectively). Application of 20 kg N ha-1 at Green seeker (GS) >1.25 RI with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal recorded significantly higher grain yield (5.68 t ha-1), straw yield (6.57 t ha-1) and harvest index (47 %) followed by 20 kg N ha-1 at SPAD value <35 with 20 kg N ha-1 at basal.

Pre-harvest Forecasting Models for Kharif Rice Yield in South Gujarat Using Composite Weather Indices

The pre-harvest forecasting models were developed for Kharif rice yield forecasts for Navsari, Surat and Tapi districts respectively. The data of rice yield and the weather parameters from 1995 to 2017 was used for developing statistical models for three districts of south Gujarat. The weather indices like Z41, Z50, Z231, Z241, Z341, Z351 and Time were able to forecast the yield of rice for Navsari district. Similarly, Z41, Z51, Z131, Z141, Z231, Z241, Z351 and Time were found to be most efficient predictors for Surat district. Only two variables i.e., Z241 and Z251 were found to be able to forecast the rice yield in Tapi district. Models were validated with 3 years (2018, 2019 and 2020) data. Results indicated that models explained 53 to 93 percent variations for rice yield during F1 stage, 54 to 92 percent variation for rice yield during F2 stage and 52 to 93 percent variations during F3 stage for rice yield in three districts. Hence these models can be used to some extent for forecast the yield in different districts of south Gujarat a few months before harvest.

Effect of Different Rates and Time of Application of Phosphorus on Yield, Soil Fertility, Nutrient Uptake and Monetary Returns of No-till Maize (Zea mays L.) after Lowland Rice

Field experiment was conducted during dry seasons for 2 consecutive years at College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad on no-till maize after lowland kharif rice on sandy clay loam soil. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept and replicated thrice. Treatments executed are three Phosphorus levels (30, 45 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and three Phosphorus application times (at 10 days before harvest of rice, at the time of sowing of maize and at the time of first irrigation to maize). The results revealed that application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded superior grain and stover yield, gross returns, net returns, benefit cost ratio and nutrient uptake (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) at crop harvest over that of 45 and 30 kg P2O5 ha-1. But, application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 left behind the soil with lower amount of available Nitrogen and Potassium and higher Phosphorus status after harvest of the crop. Application of phosphorus at 10 days before harvest of rice and at the time of sowing of maize being on par resulted in better grain and stover yield of maize, gross returns, net returns, benefit cost ratio and nutrient uptake (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) at crop harvest over its delayed application (at the time of first irrigation to maize). The application of Phosphorus at 10 days before harvest of rice or at the time of sowing of maize depleted greater amount of available Phosphorus from the soil than its application along with first irrigation.

Zero Till Water Use Efficient Rabi Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L. Moench), an Effective Alternative to Water Guzzling Summer Rice (Oryza sativa), under Changing Climatic Scenario

As temperature rises, the yields of food and cash crops in South Asia are expected to decline, putting pressure on food security in the region. India, home to 1.4 billion people, is ranked 101 out of 116 countries in the Global Hunger Index, indicating a serious problem. Scientists and researchers project that a 2.5 to 4.90C increase in temperature across the country could lead to a decrease of 41%-52% in the wheat yield, and 32%-40% in rice. Under changing climate conditions, hybrid sorghum is an effective solution for food security, which can withstand high temperatures and grow with less water over water guzzling summer rice. It has versatile utility as food grains, feed, fodder, and an important feedstock for first-generation biofuel or bioethanol production. Zero till hybrid sorghum cultivars CSH 14, CSH 16, and CSH 23 were sown after Kharif rice in jute-rice-Rabi sorghum sequence, in winter, on 1st January 2010. The crop matured with 52.5 cm irrigation water at 120 days (30th April) and consumed 7 irrigations, 7.5 cm each. The highest sorghum grain yield was obtained from cv. CSH 14 i.e., 6.5 tonnes/ha. Its water productivity was high, 808 litre water/kg grain whereas for summer rice with the same productivity (6.5t/ha) the water productivity was low, 2308 litre water/kg rice grain (irrigation requirement 150 cm). Thus, with the same water, the area under sorghum will be thrice over summer rice. Gross return from hybrid sorghum was Rs.193050/ha over Rs. 132600/ha from summer rice. Rabi sorghum saved 65% (97.5 cm/ha) of irrigation water which is drawn from groundwater only. From 6.5 tons of sorghum grain, approximately 2470 litre of ethanol can be produced/ha which is used as biofuel. Replacement of summer rice by profitable drought-resistant Rabi sorghum will ensure food security under changing climatic scenarios and maintain a sustainable groundwater position in traditional rice growing belts.