India Becomes World’s Largest Rice Producer, Surpasses China

India has overtaken China to become the world’s largest producer of rice, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced in New Delhi. India’s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, surpassing China’s 145.28 million tonnes, marking a significant milestone for Indian agriculture.

Boost to Global Rice Supply
Highlighting India’s growing role in global food markets, the minister said the country is now a major supplier of rice overseas. India has nearly doubled its rice exports over the past decade, with shipments crossing 20 million metric tonnes in the latest fiscal year.

Release of New Crop Varieties
At the same event, Mr. Chouhan unveiled 184 improved varieties of 25 field crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The newly released varieties include:

• 122 cereals,
• 6 pulses,
• 13 oilseeds,
• 11 fodder crops,
• 6 sugarcane,
• 24 cotton,
• 1 jute and 1 tobacco variety.

These are aimed at improving productivity, resilience, and farm incomes.

Concerns Over Water Stress
Despite record production, rice farmers in India’s agricultural heartlands face growing challenges. Experts warn that rice cultivation is unsustainably depleting groundwater, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, where farmers rely heavily on borewells rather than surface irrigation. Weak monsoons make these regions especially vulnerable.

High Water Footprint of Rice
According to studies, producing one kilogram of rice consumes 3,000–4,000 litres of water, which is 20–60% higher than the global average. Continuous drilling of deeper borewells has pushed many farmers into debt as aquifers decline.

Role of Subsidies Under Scrutiny
Analysts point out that government policies incentivising rice cultivation are discouraging crop diversification. These include a minimum support price (MSP) for rice that has risen by nearly 70% over the past decade, along with heavy power subsidies that promote groundwater extraction.

Production Beyond Domestic Needs
India now produces far more rice than required to feed its population, which crossed 1.4 billion in 2023, overtaking China as the world’s most populous country. While this strengthens food security and export potential, experts stress the need for sustainable water management and diversification toward less water-intensive crops to ensure long-term agricultural stability.