SRINAGAR: India has overtaken China to become the world’s largest producer of rice, with output touching 150.18 million tonnes, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. China’s rice production stands at 145.28 million tonnes, he added.
Addressing an event in the national capital, the minister said India has also expanded its presence in overseas rice markets, underlining the country’s growing strength in global agricultural trade.
At the same event, 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, six pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, six sugarcane, 24 cotton, and one variety each of jute and tobacco.
The agriculture minister said India has made significant strides in developing high-yielding and climate-resilient seeds, marking the beginning of a new phase of agricultural transformation. He directed officials to ensure the rapid dissemination of these varieties to farmers, stating that higher yields and improved quality of produce would directly benefit the farming community.
Emphasising seed accessibility, Chouhan urged authorities to ensure that quality seeds reach every farmer’s field. He also called on agricultural scientists to intensify efforts to boost the production of pulses and oilseeds to help the country achieve self-sufficiency in these sectors.
The minister said the achievement was the outcome of coordinated efforts by ICAR’s All India Coordinated Research Projects, state and central agricultural universities, and private seed companies.
