Rice is an essential crop which is consumed by every human being across globe. India is the second largest rice producers in the world. In the last financial year, the country produced over 100 million tons of rice.
Being the largest rice producer, India has also transformed into the world’s largest rice producers. It is estimated that India exported over 8 Million tons of rice in its last financial year. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, South Africa and Senegal are some of the regular rice importing customers of India. Rice plantation is seen as a serious business module in the country.
More than 20 states in India actively produce rice every year, covering an estimated area of 4000 Lakh Hectares. Here is a list of top 10 largest rice producing states in India in 2022, which contribute to 80% of total rice production.
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10. Karnataka
Located in the southern region of India, it is rather more popular for its IT hub, its capital Bangalore. The state produces 3% of total rice production. Karnataka has contributed over 14 Lakh hectares of its land for rice cultivation. The state makes an average rice production of 2700 kg in each hectare. In its last financial year, Karnataka managed to produce 41.68 Lakh ton of rice.
9. Assam
Being the staple food and the main agricultural product of the state, people here see rice cultivation as sources of food production and income, and invest 25 Lakh hectares of land for rice plantation. Assam is known for humid atmosphere, which is essential for the crop. The region is perfectly suitable for rice plantation, because of good rainfalls and constant humidity. Chokuwa, Joha and Bora are a few varieties of rice that is produced in the Assam. The state made a production of over 48.18 million in its last financial year.
8. Odisha
Being a southern state, rice is an essential part of their daily meals. Almost 65% of cultivated land in Odisha is dedicated to rice cultivation, which makes rice a very important crop for the state. However, the state only accounts for 5 % of total production of rice in India majorly in the states of Ganjam, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Kalahandi and Mayurbhanj. More than 60.48 Lakh ton of rice was produced in Odisha in its last financial year. On an average the state produces 1400 Kg of rice.
7. Chhattisgarh
The states contribute to 5% in the total production of rice in India. The state allocates 37 Lakh hectares of its land for rice plantation. Vandana, Aditya, Tulsi, Abhaya and Kranti are some of the varieties of rice grown in Chhattisgarh. The state’s fertile soil is a blessing for rice cultivation, which makes the process extremely favorable. The state has been increasing its rice production with every passing year. Chhattisgarh made a production of 64.28 Lakh in its recent financial year.
6. Bihar
Bihar is amongst the main agricultural states in India. Thanks to its fertile land, stable climatic conditions and abundance of vegetation. The state is still tilted towards the agricultural roots of the country. Over 33 Lakh hectares of area is used for rice plantation in Bihar. Bihar has been experimenting with modern day agricultural technology, which has helped in increasing the overall production and growth, giving a spurt to its agricultural sector. Indian government has also contributed in its growth as it provides free plants, fertilizer and crop awareness among these farmers. Bihar produced 72.68 Lakh ton of rice in its last financial year.
5. Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu contributes to almost 7% of the total production of rice in India. The state covers over 19 Lakh hectares of land for rice cultivation. On an average, Tamil Nadu produces 3900 kg of rice, per hectare. Despite contributing a lesser space, as compared to other regions, Tamil Nadu still manages to peak at the 5th position on top ten rice producing states in the country. The state produced 75.85 Lakh tons of rice last year. Erode, Kanyakumari, Virudhunagar and Theni are amongst the areas which are known for producing rice in Tamil Nadu.
4. Punjab
The most popular agricultural state of the country is one the largest rice cultivating state in the country. The importance of rice in Punjab can be determined form the fact that it devoted 28 Lakh hectares of its land for rice plantation. Basmati, one of the most expensive and best quality rice is produced in Punjab. This rice variant is popular for its exquisite taste and aroma across the globe. Punjab contributes to 10% of the total production of rice in India. In its last financial year, the state produced 105.42 Lakh tons of rice.
3. Andhra Pradesh
The state produced more than 128.95 Lakh tons of rice, in its last financial year. Andhra Pradesh is one of the most successful rice producing states, which contribute 12% in the total production of rice. It is said to yield 3100 kg rice per hectare on an average. Tikkana, Sannalu, Pushkala, Swarna and Kavya are a few popular varieties of rice grown in the region.
2. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is another agricultural state of India which contributes to 13% of rice production in the total production of rice in the country. Rice is a popular crop in UP, which is delightfully consumed as well as cultivated in the state, across 59 Lakh Hectares of area. Its average soil contributes to a decent yield of 2300 kg rice per hectare. Shahjahanpur, Budaun, Bareilly, Aligarh, Agra and Saharanpur; some of rice varieties produced here includes Manhar, Kalabora, Shusk Samrat and Sarraiya.
1. West Bengal
This state is the largest consumer as well as the producer of rice. An essential food which is served in their every meal, rice plays a major role in a Bengal resident’s daily routine. The state provides 50% of its cultivated land for rice cultivation. The state produced 146.05 Lakh tons of rice last year. Rice is produced in three seasons including autumn, summer and winter. Burdwan, Hoogly, Howrah, Nadia and Murshidabad are some of the major rice producing areas of West Bengal. On an average West Bengal’s soil yields 2600 kg of rice per hectare.
All these states serve the country, by blessing us with the best quality rice. Distinct regions deliver a different type of rice, which is also fascinating as to how many variety of rice are grown in India. Rice is a staple crop and food of India, where people of every religion and region love to consume a little carbohydrate to their diet. Rice is also a major agricultural crop of India, which helps Indian economy due to the demand of the crop in International market.
