Chouhan addressed agricultural scientists and experts and said India's granaries are “filled to capacity” .

India Surpasses China: Becomes World’s Top Rice Producer with 150 Million Tonnes

On Sunday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in New Delhi that India has surpassed China to become the world’s largest rice producer with 150.18 million tonnes in 2025 compared with China’s 145.28 million tonnes. Chouhan described this milestone as a historic achievement for Indian agriculture, reflecting the nation’s sustained focus on productivity and innovation.

Chouhan addressed agricultural scientists and experts and said India’s granaries are “filled to capacity” and the country has moved from dependence to becoming a global rice supplier. He highlighted the role of scientific intervention and technological support in achieving this record output. The minister also unveiled 184 new crop varieties spanning 25 field crops, highlighting the importance of research and development in modern agriculture.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, said that while India’s rice production is commendable, there are ecological concerns. He cited Punjab’s depleting water table and stubble burning as issues that need attention and advised that emerging rice-producing states should learn from Punjab’s experience. Gosal also emphasised the government’s Green Revolution in Eastern India initiative, which aims to support rice cultivation in states such as Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal through subsidies, incentives, and quality inputs.

Experts noted that high-yielding, short-duration varieties like PB126, PR131, and PB121, along with flood-tolerant varieties developed by Punjab Agricultural University, have contributed significantly to sustaining productivity under changing climatic conditions, according to Chouhan and Gosal.

Source: The Tribune