Overview
- Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said India surpassed China’s 145.28 million tonnes to lead global rice production with 150.18 million tonnes.
- At an event in New Delhi, 184 ICAR-developed varieties across 25 crops were launched as high-yielding and climate-resilient; since 1969, 7,205 varieties have been notified, including 3,236 under the current government.
- The releases span 122 cereals, six pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, six sugarcane varieties, 24 cotton varieties including 22 Bt cotton, plus one jute and one tobacco.
- Agriculture secretary Devesh Chaturvedi said seed multiplication has been increased by 1.5 to two times, with national and state seed corporations tasked to supply quality seeds at affordable prices.
- Officials cited adequate foodgrain stocks and ongoing rice supplies to overseas markets, as Chouhan urged a stronger push on pulses and oilseeds to achieve self-sufficiency.