India Becomes World's Largest Rice Producer Surpassing China

Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 18:54 IST

India has overtaken China as the largest rice producer with an output of 150.18 million tonnes, announced Shivraj Singh Chouhan, unveiling 184 new crop varieties by ICAR.

The agriculture minister called the achievement as unprecedented while pointing out that India is now supplying rice to overseas markets.

With an output of 150.18 million tonnes, India has become the largest rice producer, surpassing China, in the world, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

The announcement was made after the minister released 184 new varieties of 25 crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at an event in the national capital.

Times of India quoted Chouhan saying India has achieved “great success" in developing high-yielding seeds and has transformed from a food-deficient nation into a global food provider.

“India has surpassed China in rice production and has become the world’s largest producer," he said, adding that China’s rice output stands at 145.28 million tonnes.

PTI quoted the minister calling the achievement as unprecedented while pointing out that India is now supplying rice to overseas markets.

He further said that the country has adequate foodgrain stocks, ensuring food security. He also directed officials to ensure the newly released seed varieties reach farmers on time.

PTI reported that since the gazette notification process began in 1969, a total of 7,205 crop varieties have been notified. Of these, 3,236 high-yielding varieties were approved under the Narendra Modi-led government.

The 184 new varieties include 122 cereals, six pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, six sugarcane varieties, 24 cotton varieties — including 22 Bt cotton — and one variety each of jute and tobacco.

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