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India Becomes World's Largest Rice Producer with Record 154.02 Million Tonnes

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India's rice production for the 2025-26 crop year is estimated at a record 154.02 million tonnes, up from 150.18 million tonnes the previous year — making India the world's largest rice producer, surpassing China. The figures are from the Third Advance Estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. India is also the largest exporter of rice globally, accounting for over 40% of global rice trade.

Key Facts & Details

9 points
  • 1
    India's rice output for 2025-26: 154.02 million tonnes (record)
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    Previous year (2024-25): 150.18 million tonnes
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    India is now the world's largest rice producer, ahead of China
  • 4
    India is also the world's largest rice exporter (~40% of global trade)

Deep Dive

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    Rice is grown primarily as a kharif crop (sown June-July, harvested October-November)
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    Major rice-producing states: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana
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    MSP for paddy (Common) for 2025-26 KMS: ₹2,369 per quintal
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    MSP for paddy (Grade A) for 2025-26 KMS: ₹2,389 per quintal
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    ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research is at Hyderabad
Q

Exam Focus

Likely MCQ: India's rice production for the 2025-26 crop year is estimated at how many million tonnes? → Answer: 154.02 million tonnes

Related Topics

Rice ProductionMSPKharif Crops

Exam Relevance & Angle

Agriculture statistics, MSP and crop production are repeat questions for SSC, Banking, RBI Grade B, and UPSC.

Target Exams

SBI POSBI ClerkIBPS POIBPS ClerkSSC CGLSSC CHSLRRB NTPCUPSC CSENABARD Grade A

Background & Context

Rice (Oryza sativa) is India's principal food crop, primarily grown as a kharif crop (sown June-July, harvested October-November). India and China together produce over half of the world's rice.

Major rice-producing states are West Bengal (largest), Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Bihar and Odisha. Punjab and Haryana are 'rice-bowls' for the central pool, contributing the bulk of marketable surplus.

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy is announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on CACP recommendations. For the 2025-26 Kharif Marketing Season:
• Paddy (Common): ₹2,369 per quintal
• Paddy (Grade A): ₹2,389 per quintal

India is the world's largest rice exporter, accounting for over 40% of global rice trade. Major export varieties include Basmati (premium long-grain) and non-Basmati (parboiled, raw rice). The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the primary procurement agency.

Related GK Concepts

Must Know
Rice ProductionMSPKharif CropFCIICAR-IIRRBasmati Rice

Test Yourself

1 / 3

India's rice production for the 2025-26 crop year is estimated at how many million tonnes?

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SBI PO

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India Becomes World's Largest Rice Producer with Record 154.02 Million Tonnes — Current Affairs 2026-05-29