LARGEST BASMATI RICE PRODUCTION STATES OF INDIA

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In India, agriculture is the most important part which largely plays an important role in the national income and in the growth of the economy altogether. The basmati rice exporters and suppliers are the key components in this.

The production of rice in Indian states is rapidly growing throughout the years. According to the records, in 1980 the production ratio was 53.6 million tonnes and now in the year 2020-21, it is recorded to be 120 million tonnes. 

Rice is considered as the chief grain in the India region. People are devoted to this crop to an extreme level. Indian basmati rice is the dominant crop of the country which even rules all over the world through the medium of exporting.

How rice production affects Indian economy:

The Indian economy is the world’s seventh largest in nominal terms and the third largest in terms of purchasing power parity. The country’s economy has been growing at an average rate of 7% for 20 years and is classified as a newly industrialized country.

India’s economy surpassed China in the last quarter of 2014 to become the fastest growing major economy in the world. 

The outlook for the Indian economy is positive due to its long-term growth, young population, low dependency ratio, healthy savings and investment rates. Also, the increased integration into the global economy.

Growth source:

It is likely to become the world’s third largest economy in the next decade and one of the two largest by the middle of the century. India kept the prices of export low through the government. It exports nearly 10 million tonnes every year to other countries.

Only the rice production largely affects the Indian economy, it contributes around 45 percent of the total crop to the Indian economy alone through the basmati rice exporters. Indian basmati and non-basmati, both remain the treasured choice of every meal.

According to the IMF, the Indian economy, which has a good short-term growth outlook, is also described as a “bright spot” in the global plan. India also grew in the World Bank growth outlook. Growth is expected to slow slightly in the passing years.

Agriculture in India:

Globally, India ranks second in crop production. However, Basmati rice production covers the largest area in many states of India which simultaneously affects the GDP ratio and exports value.

Agriculture’s contribution to GDP has declined lately between 1951 and 2011 as the Indian economy diversified and grew.  Still, it remains the largest source of employment in the country and an most important part of overall socio-economic development.

Largest rice production states of India :

Indian basmati rice is a basic and primary food crop for India as well as for other countries, in addition, it is a tropical plant. It was believed that this rice flourished well in the hot and humid areas. Similarly, rice production demands for areas where the climate is rainy.

Maybe that is why it is widely known as the Kharif crop. The suitable temperature is considerably 25 degree celsius. 

The varieties of rice are mostly dependent on the state and climate of the area. Because, Indian basmati rice is the staple food for eastern and northern parts of the region. 

States that cultivates rice on a larger scale:

  1. West Bengal – It has 146.05 lakh tonnes production every year and area for cultivation is spreaded in around 54.33 hectares.
  1. Uttar Pradesh – It accounts 140.22 lakh tonnes production every year and covers 59.47 hectares approx for the cultivation of Basmati rice and non-basmati rice.
  1. Andhra Pradesh – In this state, it has  a record of production, 128.95 lakh tonnes and under the area of 40.96 hectares.
  1. Punjab – Punjab produces 105.42 lakh tonnes every year and it dedicated 28.18 hectares ares to rice production.
  1. Tamil nadu – Here, 74.58 lakh tonnes production takes place. The area is 19.03 hectares.
  1. Bihar – 71.62 lakh tonnes are produced in Bihar every passing year and the area this crop covers is 33.24 hectares. 
  1. Chhattisgarh – It has the record of production of about 60.28 lakh tonnes every year which covers the total area 37.73 hectares.
  1. Odisha – Odisha has given the area 40.04 hectares to the rice production which results in the total produced crop, 58.07 lakh tonnes in every year.
  1. Assam – It has 45.16 lakh tonnes production in the year and the area it covers is around 25.37 hectares only.
  1. Karnataka – Karnataka is the least production state of Indian basmati rice, it records 39.55 lakh tonnes per year and the area is 14.16 hectare to it.

Indian states accounted for the total production in the latest year above 100 million tonnes. Along with having a position of top leading production in Indian states, it is known to be the largest basmati rice exporter country which has exported in the last year around 8 million tonnes to many countries worldwide. 

Challenges faced by the Indian farmers:

There are several challenges and problems that a farmer faces during the crops production. As providing subsidies is not only the way to resolve a farmer’s issue, there must be other ways to address those problems which are defined as below:-

  • At first step, each farmer must need better education about agriculture and information on how agriculture and the subsidies work. How the MSP which refers to minimum support price works which led to the various benefits as they are intended. 

Every citizen including the government, common man and even the rice exporters should adopt a proactive approach in this scenario.

  • Next way is to make them aware about the new techniques and technologies in an efficient way. For instance, the better and safe use of fertilizers, pesticides and other required things about which they must be fully aware. 

They must be familiar with the standard practices to work efficiently on the field. In Punjab, there is a group of basmati rice exporters who have already taken an initiative to pursue these goals. Soon, it needs to be replicated to the globe.

  • Other point, there is a need for reformation in the domestic supply chain in order to create an accountability framework that must be transparent.  

Especially in the case of procurement level, where the farmers get the opportunity to involve more in the supply chain and other important points such as: crop auctions and marketing level. 

  • At last, the crucial need is to have investments in cold storage and warehouse infrastructure. That will help small farmers, and they will not be forced to sell their crops to midaters because of lack of storage facilities. 

The main root of the agricultural supply chain is the farmlands. There must be equal compensation to the farmers for what they cultivate and take care of. With the compensated money, they will be able to build more resources and could escape from the dependency on middlemen.

At each level,  whether it is the government or any local stakeholder, must work in unity to ensure safety of the farmers and farmers are the foundation of the agricultural economy. The farmers are the assets of the country which has no substitute. 

From Asia to Latin America and Africa, one of the most important resources in the diet of billions of people around the world is rice. 

It has been consumed for thousands of years, today constitutes 16.5% of daily calorie intake. However, as in all food products around the world, rice prices are also increasing. This increase worries the importing countries also because of the rise in price.

Indian basmati rice is a long and beautiful grain which is widely adored by everyone. Although, it is exported by the rice exporters of India. It is believed to have the footprints of it in India, Pakistan and Nepal as well.

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