India has emerged as the world’s largest rice producer, overtaking China, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Sunday. According to official data, India’s rice production during the 2024–25 crop year stood at 150.18 million tonnes, higher than China’s estimated output of 145.28 million tonnes.
Announcing the milestone at a function in New Delhi, Mr. Chouhan said the achievement reflects the steady transformation of Indian agriculture and the sustained efforts of farmers, scientists and policymakers. He said the record output has strengthened India’s food security and enhanced its standing in the global food supply chain.
The minister noted that India has moved from being a food-deficient nation in the past to becoming a major global producer of foodgrains. He said strong procurement systems, improved irrigation coverage, better seeds and farmer-centric policies have played a key role in boosting crop yields across states.
At the same event, Mr. Chouhan released 184 newly developed crop varieties aimed at improving productivity and climate resilience. These varieties have been developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in collaboration with agricultural universities and research institutions.
The new releases cover 25 crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton and fodder crops. Of the total, 122 varieties belong to cereals, while others include Bt cotton, pulses, oilseeds, jute and tobacco. The minister said these varieties are designed to offer higher yields, better resistance to pests and diseases, and improved tolerance to climate stress.
Mr. Chouhan urged officials and state governments to ensure faster seed multiplication and timely availability to farmers so that the benefits reach the ground quickly. He also stressed the need to focus on increasing production of pulses and oilseeds to reduce import dependence and improve farmers’ incomes.
The government believes the combination of record rice production and scientific innovation will help sustain agricultural growth and reinforce India’s leadership in global food production.
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