Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces India surpasses China as world's largest rice producer

Key facts

• India's rice production reached 150.18 million tonnes, exceeding China's 145.28 million tonnes.
• 184 new high-yielding varieties of 25 crops released to boost production and farmers' income.
• Since 1969, a total of 7,205 crop varieties have been notified, including 3,236 approved under the Narendra Modi-led government.
• India transformed from food-deficient to global food provider with abundant foodgrain stocks ensuring food security.
• Newly released varieties include 122 cereals, 6 pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, 6 sugarcane, 24 cotton, and one each of jute and tobacco.
• Varieties developed by ICAR institutes, state/central agricultural universities, and private seed companies are climate-resilient and pest-disease resistant.