Record Rice Acreage Poised to Boost Production

07-Oct-2025 08:41 PM

New Delhi. The abundant support of the southwest monsoon rains and the increase in government support prices provided Indian farmers with a significant opportunity and encouragement to increase rice acreage to new record levels this year.

Consequently, the domestic rice acreage jumped to an all-time high of 441.58 lakh hectares, which is 5.90 lakh hectares higher than the previous record of 435.68 lakh hectares and 38.49 lakh hectares higher than the five-year average of 403.09 lakh hectares.

Although the Union Agriculture Ministry had planned to reduce rice acreage by 50 lakh hectares, the total area increased by approximately 6 lakh hectares.

It is noteworthy that rice is the only agricultural product cultivated in all states of the country. Abundant rains in July and August ensured farmers had no difficulty in increasing rice acreage,

and September also received substantial rainfall. Excessive rainfall accompanied by strong winds and devastating floods have caused some damage to the paddy crop in some places, but overall production is expected to be robust. This will significantly increase rice production, further easing its supply and availability in the domestic market.

Sizable stocks of rice already exist in the central pool, while government procurement of new paddy has begun. In Punjab, more than 5 lakh tonnes of paddy has been procured from farmers at the minimum support price, while government procurement of paddy will soon accelerate in Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.

Over time, government procurement of new paddy will also increase in other states, including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar.

The central government has increased the minimum support price of paddy by ₹69 to ₹2,369 per quintal for the general category and ₹2,389 per quintal for the 'A' grade. A better paddy yield will increase the level of exportable rice stocks.