India Set to Be World’s Top Rice Producer by 2024-25

India is on track to become the largest rice producer globally in the 2024-25 crop year, surpassing China as overall foodgrain production reaches an unprecedented 353.2 million tonnes (MT). This remarkable achievement, fueled by favorable monsoon conditions, has significantly uplifted the yields of rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds, highlighting a strong performance in the agricultural sector. With expectations for sufficient rainfall, there is optimism for a second consecutive year of solid agricultural output. (Reuters)

Record Foodgrain Production in 2024-25

The agriculture ministry announced on Wednesday that India’s foodgrain production increased by 6% in the 2024-25 crop year compared to the previous year, reaching a record of 353.2 MT. The nation is set to overtake China as the leading rice producer during this period.

Significant Increases in Key Crop Yields

According to the third advance estimates for the 2024-25 crop year, rice and wheat production rose by 8% and 3.7%, amounting to 149.07 MT and 117.5 MT, respectively, compared to last year. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan noted that the current crop year has witnessed record highs in the outputs of rice, wheat, corn, groundnut, and soybean. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected China’s rice output at 145.28 MT for the same period, confirming India’s emergence as the foremost rice producer in the world.

Steady Growth in Pulses and Oilseeds

In the 2024-25 crop year, pulses production is also anticipated to rise by 4% to reach 25.23 MT. Oilseed production has surged over 7% to 42.6 MT, with groundnut (11.89 MT) and soybean (15.18 MT) reaching record levels. The southwest monsoon rains from June to September of 2024 measured 108% of the long-term average, positively affecting both kharif and rabi sowing periods.

Future Projections and Agricultural Outlook

With forecasts indicating ‘above normal’ monsoon rainfall, the government has set an ambitious target of 354.64 MT for foodgrain production in the 2025-26 crop year. This target may be revised upwards depending on actual monsoon performance as anticipated by meteorological reports. The prospect of adequate rainfall further strengthens expectations for hefty agricultural output for a second successive year.

The Importance of Monsoon for Crop Production

Kharif sowing constitutes roughly 60% of the total annual crop production. The monsoon rains not only provide essential soil moisture for winter crops but also play a crucial role in the cultivation of kharif crops, including paddy, pulses, and oilseeds, on nearly half of the nation’s farmland. Furthermore, sufficient monsoon activity is vital for ensuring adequate soil moisture during the rabi season for crops such as wheat, pulses, and oilseeds.