NEW DELHI: India has become the world’s largest rice producer, beating China, with a total output of 150.18 million tonnes, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Sunday, as he released 184 new varieties of 25 crops.
These new high-yielding seed varieties would boost crop production and enhance farmers’ income, he said, while directing the ministry officials to ensure that these new varieties reach farmers quickly.
The minister unveiled the new varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research at an event held here.
Addressing the event, Chouhan said the country has achieved great success in the development of high-yielding seeds.
Since the gazette notification process began in 1969, a total of 7,205 crop varieties have been notified, including rice, wheat, sorghum, maize, pulses, oilseeds, fiber crops, among others.
Chouhan informed that 3,236 high-yielding varieties have been approved by the Centre against 3,969 varieties notified between 1969 and 2014.
The minister noted that India has transformed from being a food-deficient country to becoming a global food provider.
Chouhan stated, “India has surpassed China in rice production and has become the world’s largest producer.” India’s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, against China’s 145.28 million tonnes, he said.