News– India has become the world’s largest producer of rice, surpassing China, with production of about 150.18 million tonnes, compared to China’s 145.28 million tonnes.
Status of Rice Production and Export
- Major Rice-producing countries– India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Japan, Sri Lanka and Egypt, with India now occupying the top position.
- State-wise Production in India (2024–25)
- Uttar Pradesh – 13.8%
- Telangana – 11.6%
- West Bengal – 10.6%
- Punjab – 9.5%
- Chhattisgarh – 7%
- Export leadership– India is also the world’s largest rice exporter, exporting around 20.1 million metric tonnes of rice in 2024–25, strengthening its role in global food supply chains.
- Major export destinations– Indian rice is primarily exported to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Benin, and the United Arab Emirates, reflecting strong demand in West Asia and Africa.
About Rice Crop
Recent Technological advances– ICAR has developed India’s first genome-edited rice varieties—DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1, which promise higher yields, improved climate resilience, and better water-use efficiency |
