India becomes world's largest rice producer

New Delhi: India has become the world's largest rice producer, surpassing China, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Thursday, as the government unveiled a nationwide contingency plan ahead of the crucial kharif sowing season amid fears of a weak monsoon and increasing climate risks.

Rice production is estimated at a record 154.02 mt in the 2025-26 crop year, up from 150.18 mt a year earlier, according to the third advance estimates released by the agriculture ministry.

The government is preparing for potential weather disruptions linked to the emergence of El Nino.


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