- India unveils 184 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties across 25 crops, developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- The 184 newly released varieties span a wide spectrum of crops, including 122 cereals; 6 pulses; 13 oilseeds; 11 fodder crops; 6 sugarcane varieties; 24 cotton varieties (including 22 Bt cotton);1 jute and 1 tobacco variety
- Since the gazette notification process began in 1969, a total of 7,205 crop varieties have been approved across rice, wheat, sorghum, maize, pulses, oilseeds, fiber crops and more
- Of these, 3,236 high-yielding varieties have been approved since 2014, compared to 3,969 varieties notified between 1969 and 2014, reflecting an accelerated pace of innovation in the last decade
India has officially claimed the top global position in rice production, overtaking China with an output of 150.18 million tons, marking a historic milestone in the country’s agricultural journey.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the achievement in New Delhi on Sunday, describing it as an “unprecedented success” and a testament to India’s transformation from a food-deficient nation to a global food provider.
China, long the world’s largest rice producer, now stands second with 145.28 million tons, the minister revealed, underscoring the scale of India’s advance in agricultural productivity, according to Indian news reports.
Speaking at a major event in the national capital, Chouhan also unveiled 184 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties across 25 crops, developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
He directed ministry officials to ensure that these advanced seeds reach farmers without delay, stressing that timely access is critical to boosting farm incomes and sustaining production growth.
From Food Scarcity to Global Supplier
Chouhan said India’s rise to the top of global rice production reflects decades of focused investment in research, seed development, and farmer support systems. He noted that the country now enjoys abundant foodgrain stocks, strengthening national food security while enabling India to supply rice to overseas markets.
“India has surpassed China in rice production and has become the world’s largest producer,” Chouhan said, calling the achievement a defining moment for Indian agriculture.
A Seed Revolution Driving Yields
Highlighting the country’s seed development journey, the minister said that since the gazette notification process began in 1969, a total of 7,205 crop varieties have been approved across rice, wheat, sorghum, maize, pulses, oilseeds, fiber crops and more.
Of these, 3,236 high-yielding varieties have been approved since 2014 under the Narendra Modi-led government, compared to 3,969 varieties notified between 1969 and 2014, reflecting an accelerated pace of innovation in the last decade.
“This is a yield success story,” Chouhan said, crediting scientists, agricultural universities, and research institutions for ushering in what he described as a new agricultural revolution.
184 New Varieties Released
The 184 newly released varieties span a wide spectrum of crops, including 122 cereals; 6 pulses; 13 oilseeds; 11 fodder crops; 6 sugarcane varieties; 24 cotton varieties (including 22 Bt cotton);1 jute and 1 tobacco variety
These varieties have been developed by ICAR institutes, state and central agricultural universities, and private seed companies. They are designed to be high-yielding, climate-resilient, and resistant to major pests and diseases.
According to the official statement, the new seeds address challenges such as climate change, soil salinity, drought, and other biotic and abiotic stresses, while also supporting natural and organic farming practices.
Focus on Pulses and Oilseeds
Chouhan urged farm scientists to intensify efforts to increase the production of pulses and oilseeds, stressing that self-sufficiency in these segments is essential to reducing imports and strengthening farm incomes.
He said farmers stand to benefit significantly from the newly released varieties, which promise higher yields, better quality produce, and greater resilience to environmental shocks.
Stronger Seed Supply Chain
Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi said seed multiplication rates have been increased by 1.5 to 2 times to strengthen availability across the country.
He added that national and state seed corporations are working to ensure quality seeds at affordable prices reach farmers in a timely manner.
A Defining Moment for Indian Agriculture
Chouhan said the achievement is the result of collective efforts by ICAR’s All India Coordinated Projects, state and central agricultural universities, and private sector partners. He described the current phase as a turning point where science, policy, and farmer participation are converging to reshape India’s agricultural future.
With India now leading the world in rice production and rolling out a new generation of advanced seed varieties, the country is positioning itself not just as a food-secure nation, but as a key pillar of global food supply in an era of climate uncertainty and rising demand.
India’s rice fields are vast, iconic landscapes, especially prominent in fertile, water-rich regions like the Ganges-Brahmaputra deltas, coastal plains (West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh), Assam, and the Himalayan foothills, with major production in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, featuring terraced hillsides in the East (Manipur) and flooded paddies in the plains, essential for food security and cultural identity.
