India becomes world’s largest rice producer

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.

This article has been republished from The Economic Times.