India’s wheat and rice production has increased over the last five years due to the adoption of various production and protection technologies to address the challenges of various biotic and abiotic stresses. These include development of high-yielding climate-resilient varieties, cost-effective and efficient pre and post-harvest technologies, according to Bhagirath Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, he said India’s wheat production was estimated at 117.95 million tonnes (mt) during 2024-25, 4.65 mt higher than 113.29 mt produced in the previous year. India’s wheat production was at 109.59 lt in 2020-21.
Total rice production was estimated at 150.18 mt during 2024-25, 12.36 mt higher than 137.83 mt the previous year. India’s rice production was at 124.37 mt in 2020-21.
As of February 16, the total stock of wheat and rice available in the central pool was 24.83 mt and 35.26 mt, respectively, against foodgrain stocking norms of 13.8 mt for wheat and 7.61 mt for rice.
“The increase in the production of both wheat and rice during 2024-25 is attributed to both expanded area coverage and improved productivity during last few years. Also, the increase in production is due to adoption of developed various production and protection technologies to address the challenges of various biotic and abiotic stresses. These include development of high-yielding climate resilient varieties, cost-effective and efficient pre- and post-harvest technologies, etc,” he said.
Iran impact on exports
To a question on the impact of Iran uncertainties on Basmati rice exports, Piyush Goyal, Union Commerce and Industry Minister, said basmati exports to Iran grew in value by 11.57 per cent (in rupee terms) and by 26.1 per cent in volume terms up to January 2026, indicating healthy and steady basmati trade to Iran.
With the commencement of conflict West Asia on February 28, stakeholders, including of basmati rice, have reported disruption of maritime and air cargo routes through West Asia, increase in freight costs due to re-routing and war-risk surcharges, cargo accumulation at ports and logistics hubs, and financial stress arising from longer transit cycles.
He said the government has been closely monitoring the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia and the Gulf region and has taken measures to reduce the impact of the disruption on India’s exports and to safeguard livelihoods.
Empowering cotton growers
To a separate question, Bhagirath Choudhary said the Cotton Corporation of India Ltd (CCI) launched a mobile application, Kapas Kisan, on September 1, 2025, to empower cotton farmers. The sale of cotton by farmers under MSP operations has been mandated through this application only. Through the app, farmers can avail facilities such as self-registration and slot booking for selling their cotton under MSP on a four-week rolling basis, thereby enhancing flexibility, reducing waiting time, and preventing congestion at procurement centres. Accordingly, CCI has been procuring cotton only through slot booking via the Kapas Kisan app. So far, about 42 lakh cotton farmers have been registered on Kapas Kisan Mobile app, he said.
Rubber imports
In a written reply to a question on rubber imports, Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, said the import of natural rubber was 5,50,918 tonnes in 2024-25 as against 5,46,369 tonnes in 2021-22, with no significant increase overall in this period.
The import of natural rubber was at 3,99,535 tonnes during April-January 2025-26 against 4,85,666 tonnes during the same period of 2024-25, showing a decline of 17.73 per cent.
He said the prices of natural rubber are determined in the open market based on demand and supply. International prices also influence domestic prices. The average price of natural rubber (RSS 4 grade) has been ₹193.77 per kg in Kottayam, Kerala, during the period April to January 2025-26 compared to an average price of ₹170.77 per kg for the period 2021-22 to 2024-25.
Soil health card
To a question on soil health cards (SHCs), Bhagirath Choudhary said 1.73 crore SHCs have been issued to the farmers during 2022-23 to 2024-25.
Referring to a 2025 survey by NITI Aayog, he said SHC has contributed to correcting fertilizer imbalance (by reducing the excessive use of urea) and improving productivity. The scheme has also helped in achieving the broader objectives of integrated nutrient management. About 68.5 per cent of the surveyed farmers reported a clear improvement in soil health after using natural inputs, while 25.7 per cent of farmers reported marginal improvement, he said.
Published on March 13, 2026
