India has become the world’s largest producer of rice, surpassing China. This was stated by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi yesterday. He said India’s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, compared to China’s 145.28 million tonnes. Mr Chouhan said India is now supplying rice in overseas markets.
The minister unveiled 184 improved varieties of 25 field crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research at an event held in the national capital. The 184 released varieties include 122 cereals, 6 pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, 6 sugarcane, 24 cotton, and one each of jute and tobacco.
Addressing the event, Mr Chouhan said the country has achieved great success in the development of high-yielding seeds. The Agriculture Minister also directed officials to ensure that these new varieties reach farmers quickly. Elaborating on 184 advanced varieties, the minister said that farmers will benefit as they will help in achieving higher yields and better quality of produce. He emphasised the need to ensure that high-quality seeds reach every farmer’s field. The minister also asked farm scientists to focus on increasing the production of pulses and oilseeds to make India self-sufficient.
Mr Chouhan said that the country has entered a new era of agricultural revolution on the strength of the development of high-yielding and climate-resilient seeds. The Union minister said that this achievement is the result of the collective efforts of the ICAR’s All India Coordinated Projects on crops, state and central agricultural universities, and private seed companies.
