Top-10 Rice Producing States in India 2024

Rice, a staple food for a significant portion of India’s population, is cultivated extensively across various states in the country. As one of the world’s largest producers of rice, India’s agricultural landscape is dotted with regions known for their abundant rice harvests. Let’s delve into the top 10 rice-producing states in India for the year 2024.

Rice Production in India

In the fiscal year 1980, India’s rice production stood at 53.6 million tonnes. Over the decades, this figure witnessed a remarkable surge, reaching an impressive 120 million tonnes (or 1200 lakh tonnes) by the fiscal year 2020-21. Projections for the fiscal year 2022-23 estimate a total rice production of 1308.37 lakh tonnes. Notably, key states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab play a significant role in shaping India’s rice landscape, collectively contributing 72% of the nation’s total rice output. Now, let’s delve into the top 10 rice-producing states of India.

Rice Growing Regions in India

The rice growing regions in India are as follows:

• Southern region
• Western region
• Northern region
• Eastern region
• North-Eastern region

Largest Rice Producer State in India

West Bengal leads India’s rice production, accounting for a significant 14% of the nation’s total output. The majority of rice cultivation occurs in districts like Midnapore, Bardhaman, and Banka Virbhoomi. Varieties such as Swarna, IR36, and Sona Masuri are cultivated by farmers here, garnering attention both domestically and internationally for their quality.

Top-10 Rice Producing States in India 2024

West Bengal with the rice production of 15.75 million tons, stands as the largest rice producing Indian state, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

Here is the list of top-10 rice producing states in India 2024:

Top-10 Rice Producing States in India 2024
Rank	State	Rice Production (in million tons)	Area under Rice Cultivation (million hectares)
1.	West Bengal	15.75	5.46
2.	Uttar Pradesh	12.5	5.86
3.	Punjab	11.82	2.97
4.	Tamil Nadu	7.98	2.04
5.	Andhra Pradesh	7.49	2.16
6.	Bihar	6.5	3.21
7.	Chhattisgarh	6.09	3.82
8.	Odisha	5.87	3.94
9.	Assam	5.14	2.46
10.	Haryana	4.14	1.35

Largest Rice Producing Indian State – West Bengal

Rice Production: 15.75 million tons

West Bengal dominates India’s rice production, accounting for a significant 14% of the country’s total output. The bulk of rice cultivation takes place in districts like Midnapore, Bardhaman, and Banka Virbhoomi within the state. Farmers here cultivate popular varieties such as Swarna, IR36, and Sona Masuri, which enjoy demand not only in local markets but also internationally.

Second Largest State in terms of Rice Production – Uttar Pradesh

Rice Production: 12.5 million tons

Claiming the second position in India’s rice cultivation, Uttar Pradesh boasts fertile Gangetic plains that contribute significantly to the nation’s rice production. Utilizing a blend of agricultural diversity and modern farming techniques, the state witnesses extensive growth of high-yielding rice varieties like Pusa Basmati, Sugandha, and Mahsuri. Uttar Pradesh commands an impressive 10% share of India’s overall rice output, with rice fields in locales such as Bareilly, Muzaffarnagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gorakhpur, and Faizabad showcasing the state’s commitment to rice cultivation.

India’s Third Largest Rice Producing State – Punjab

Rice Production: 11.82 million tons

Punjab occupies a noteworthy place in India’s rice production landscape, boasting an annual output of 12 million tonnes, which places it among the top contributors in this sector. This achievement earns Punjab a commendable third position in rice production rankings. Renowned for its high-quality basmati rice varieties like Pusa Basmati 1509 and 1121, Punjab’s contribution to the rice industry is significant.