Some important facts about rice in Indian Scenario are as:
- Agriculture is the main source of income for families in India. Farms cover over half the land and almost three-quarters of that land is used to grow the two major grains: rice and wheat.
- India is the second leading producer of rice in the entire world, preceded only by China.
- India's annual rice production is around 85-90 million tons. Annual consumption, is around 85 million tons.
- In India, Rice is cultivated in both seasons - Winter and Summer.
- West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, Karnataka and Haryana are the major producing states. More than 50% of total production comes from the first four states.
- Food Corporation of India purchases around 20 to 25% of the total rice production in the country both under levy from the rice mills and directly in the form of paddy from the farmers at Minimum Support Prices announced by the Govt.
- More than 4000 varieties of rice are grown in India.
- India is the world's largest exporter of Basmati rice to Saudi Arabia and other Middle East Countries, Europe, and the United States.
- India has the potential to export one million tons of Basmati rice.
- Major destinations for Indian non-basmati, white/parboiled rice are Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Nigeria, South Africa, Ivory Coast, and other African countries.
