In News - India Emerges as World’s Largest Rice Producer
Analysis
- India has become the world’s largest producer of rice, overtaking China, as stated by Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi.
- India’s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, compared to China’s 145.28 million tonnes.
- The Minister stated that India is now supplying rice to overseas markets, reflecting growing export capacity.
- At the same event, the Minister unveiled 184 improved varieties of 25 field crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- The released varieties include:
- 122 cereals
- 6 pulses
- 13 oilseeds
- 11 fodder crops
- 6 sugarcane
- 24 cotton
- 1 jute
- 1 tobacco
- The Minister highlighted India’s success in developing high-yielding seeds and directed officials to ensure rapid dissemination of new varieties to farmers.
- Emphasis was laid on improving yield, quality of produce, and ensuring high-quality seeds reach every farmer’s field.
- He also urged scientists to focus on increasing pulses and oilseeds production to achieve self-sufficiency.
- The achievement was attributed to the collective efforts of ICAR’s All India Coordinated Research Projects, central and state agricultural universities, and private seed companies.
- The Minister described this phase as a new era of agricultural revolution, driven by high-yielding and climate-resilient seeds.
Static Part: Rice Varieties and Regional Distribution in India
Popular Rice Varieties
- Basmati – Aromatic long-grain; North India; biryani, pulao
- Sona Masoori – Medium-grain; Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka; daily meals
- Ponni – Tamil Nadu; versatile for pulao, khichdi
- Matta (Palakkadan) – Kerala; reddish, nutty; sambar rice, appams
- Kolam / Wada Kolam – Maharashtra, Gujarat; mild flavour
- Indrayani – Maharashtra; fragrant, slightly sticky
- Gobindobhog – West Bengal; aromatic short-grain; sweets, khichdi
- Black Rice (Chakhao) – Northeast India; antioxidant-rich
- Joha Rice – Assam; aromatic fine-grain
- Jeera Samba – Tamil Nadu; fine-grain; biryani
- Ambemohar – Maharashtra; fragrant
- Brown Rice / Red Rice – Whole grain, fibre-rich varieties
Regional Highlights
- North India: Basmati, Pusa Basmati, Sharbati
- South India: Sona Masoori, Ponni, Matta, Jeera Samba
- East India: Gobindobhog, Kalajeera, Tulaipanji
- West India: Kolam, Ambemohar, Indrayani
- Northeast India: Black Rice (Chakhao), Joha
Updated – 05 January 2026; 2:51 PM |
News Source:News on Air
Additional Reference: Shrilal Mahal – Types of Rice in India