Small and Marginal Farmers Drive Paddy Cultivation in Bengal

10-Jul-2025 08:37 PM

Kharagpur. Paddy is cultivated extensively and across nearly all regions of West Bengal, one of India's leading rice-producing states.

The crop is grown in both the Kharif and Rabi seasons, though the majority of production takes place during the Kharif season.

In the 2024–25 crop year, the total paddy production in the state reached a record 256 lakh tonnes, with 180 lakh tonnes from the Kharif season and 76 lakh tonnes from the Rabi season.

The Rural Development Minister of West Bengal stated that small and marginal farmers form the backbone of the state’s paddy cultivation.

Their consistent efforts to increase acreage and yield are key to maintaining high production levels. The state government actively supports these farmers by ensuring timely access to agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. Timely completion of agricultural activities is seen as essential for good outcomes.

This year, as in several other states, West Bengal is receiving good monsoon rainfall, creating favorable conditions for paddy transplantation.

A cultivation target of 42 lakh hectares has been set for the state, and the government is optimistic about meeting it, given the strong enthusiasm among farmers for growing this key Kharif food crop.

At the national level, rainfall as of July 7 has been 15 percent above the long-term average, helping expand the production area of paddy and other Kharif crops compared to last year. Continued rainfall in July and August is expected to maintain the momentum of sowing activities.