India Now World No. 1 in Rice; Foodgrain Output Up 49% in a Decade, Says Chouhan

India ranks first globally in rice production and exports and second in wheat production, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Wednesday, outlining an ambition to turn the country into the world’s “food basket”.

Addressing Agrivision’s 10th national convention at Pusa in Delhi, Chouhan said India’s foodgrain production had increased by 49% between 2014 and 2024. He attributed the gains to farmers’ hard work and modern agricultural policies.

Recalling India’s earlier dependence on foodgrain imports under the PL-480 programme, the minister said the country had moved towards self-reliance. The next priorities, he added, were scientific storage, better management of agricultural produce and a stronger presence in international markets.

“Along with further improving farmers’ livelihoods, India will not just feed itself but will emerge as the world’s ‘food basket’,” he said.

MORE SOURCES OF INCOME FOR SMALL FARMERS

Chouhan called for greater diversification to strengthen the earnings of small and marginal farmers. Citing an average landholding of 0.96 hectares, he said relying on a single crop could limit income opportunities.

Combining crop cultivation with fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, animal husbandry, fisheries and beekeeping could help farmers develop additional sources of income, he said. He also advocated natural farming and greater use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics in agriculture.

‘WE WILL NOT ALLOW DEGREES TO GO TO WASTE’

Agricultural education was another focus of the minister’s address. Chouhan said students should not suffer because of shortcomings in the education system, and institutions must maintain standards rather than merely collect fees and award degrees.

“We will not allow agriculture students’ degrees to go to waste,” he said.

He urged researchers, agricultural experts and students at the convention to identify challenges and recommend practical solutions. The government would use their suggestions to prepare a roadmap covering immediate and longer-term measures for agricultural education and farmers’ welfare, he added.

“You deliberate and extract the nectar; we will implement it,” Chouhan told participants.

The minister said he would meet representatives again within 15 days to a month to discuss their recommendations and develop a detailed action plan.

Chouhan also released a booklet documenting Agrivision’s journey over the past decade. Agricultural scientists, researchers, students and representatives of Agrivision and the ABVP attended the convention.

With inputs from ANI.