Punjab’s Golden Fields: India Surpasses China in Rice Production

Recently, India surpasses China in the field of Rice production, reaching on number one position globally. Notably, the country’s share in aggregate global rice production has crossed more than 28%. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recognised India’s achievement.

According to the USDA’s December 2025 report, India’s rice production has climbed to 152 million metric tonnes, whereas China’s output is around 146 million metric tonnes. Due to this, India surpassed China in rice production.

Rice is a staple food which is grown and consumed in the country since ancient. When it comes to discussing the history of rice, we cannot neglect mentioning India’s name. It is quite noteworthy that there are about 123,000 varieties of rice available globally out of which around 60,000 are discovered in India, outlining that the country is rich in diversity holding several rice varieties. Nonetheless, when it comes to rice production, India has outshone China. Notably, this has been happening for the first time.

Director of South Asia Regional Centre at the International Rice Institute, Dr Sudhanshu Singh, stated that India becoming the world’s largest rice producer is a significant achievement. Notably, Indian rice is exported to 172 countries. Not only this, but rice has become a prominent tool of India’s foreign policy.

Significance of Rice to Indian Economy

India has exported agricultural produce a record Rs 450,840 crore, with rice responsible for the largest share, nearly 24%. It is interesting to note that India, by exporting Basmati and Non-Basmati Rice, earned Foreign Exchange of Rs 105,720 crore in a single year, highlighting the significance of rice to the Indian economy.

Punjab’s Golden Fields and its significant role

Punjab is also known as bread breadbasket of India. Its role remains significant in this context. The state’s modern agricultural identity was found during the Green Revolution, when irrigation expansion, fertiliser use and high-yielding seeds transformed it into one of India’s core grain bowls. Rice, which once had a modest footprint in Punjab, surged sharply under the protective umbrella of assured procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and an MSP (Minimum Support Price) regime that guaranteed farmers a ready buyer. In 2023, Punjab’s rice production had climbed to around 13 million tonnes (mt) annually, increase from just more than 3.2 million tonnes in the early 1980s, backed by some of the highest yield levels in the country. Such volumes feed not only local consumption but the central pool that strengthens the Public Distribution System (PDS), making sure that grain grown in Punjab is cooked on plates from Rajasthan to Assam.​

Interestingly, Punjab has played a remarkable role in making India a top rice producer. However, this success has come with serious problems. Growing rice and wheat year after year has lowered groundwater levels. Farmers need plenty of electricity to pump water, along with falling water tables and energy-intensive pumping now central concerns for both state and Union governments. The strong use of fertilisers and the widespread practice of stubble burning after the rice harvest have created severe soil and air quality challenges, transforming agriculture into a political as well as environmental flashpoint each winter. 

Role of Taiwan cannot be neglected

According to the latest report by India Today, India had produced only 20.58 million metric tonnes of rice annually. Remarkably, this figure had increased to 152 million metric tonnes by 2025. Undoubtedly, this record in rice production is the outcome of the dedicated efforts done by farmers and Scientists. No doubt, Taiwan’s contribution to India’s success in rice cultivation deserves special attention. Since the country was grappling with a shortage of food grains in the 1960s. At that time, rice cultivation was restricted to traditional long rice varieties, with yields of only around 800 kg per hectare. After that, Urea came in the picture, introducing itself as a chemical fertiliser. Whereas, the use of fertiliser and additional water could give rise to output, requiring dwarf and strong-stem varieties, which the country lacks. Indian rice varieties were prone to lodge when fertiliser and water were utilised, since their long stems caused the crop to fall over, leading to the need for dwarf varieties to increase production and resolve food shortages. Taiwam knocked on the door, fulfilling this requirement by offering a dwarf rice variety called Taichug Native-1 (TN1). Now, this has transformed the scene of India Agriculture. Taichung Native-1 played a significant role in the green revolution. Notably, it is considered the world’s first semi-dwarf rice variety.

Another Dwarf Rice Variety By IRRI

Additionally, another dwarf rice variety with the name of IR-8 came on the scene in India in 1968 by the International Rice Research Institute, leading to a rapid increase in rice production due to its revolutionary productivity. Surprisingly, IR-8 had been called Miracle Rice. However, Indian scientists started cross-breeding these varieties in 1969. Particularly, a local rice variety called T-141 was cross-bred with Taichung Native-1 to generate Jaya, India's first domestically developed dwarf rice variety. Its stem length was decreased from 150 centimetres to 90 centimetres, leading to a severe increase in rice production. India did not look back in rice cultivation after this substantial breakthrough.

India is the world's largest producer of basmati rice

Apart from this, India is also the world's largest producer of basmati rice. Exports of basmati rice have crossed Rs 50,000 crore. A distinct global market has been generated for Indian basmati varieties. Additionally, India holds the record for producing the world's longest rice grain. This record belongs to Pusa Basmati-1121 (PB 1121). The uncooked grain is nearly 9 mm long and increases between 15 and 22 mm after cooking. Besides basmati, nearly 15 other Indian rice varieties have received the Geographical Indication tag.

More Difficulties Ahead

Despite becoming number one in rice production and exports, India still lacks in one important area. Although the rice acreage in India is larger than China's, per-hectare yields remain significantly lower. The Union Agriculture Ministry stated that India produced only 668 kg of rice per hectare in 1950-51. This led to 1,235 kg by 1975-76 after the incorporation of dwarf varieties and increased fertiliser use. Yield rose to 1,901 kg per hectare in 2000-01 and further to 2,809 kg in 2021-22. The USDA estimates that India's average rice yield will reach 4,390 kg per hectare in 2025-26. However, this remains below the global average, which is a concern. Matching China's yield of nearly 7,100 kg per hectare would mark a significant milestone, especially as rice cultivation needs large amounts of water.