
“Top 10 Rice-Producing States in India 2024: Telangana Leads the Way”
In a significant development, Telangana has emerged as the largest rice-producing state in India for the crop year 2023-24, overtaking West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. According to the latest Final Estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Telangana produced a record 16.87 million tonnes of rice during this period. This marks a major shift in India’s rice production landscape, challenging earlier reports that listed West Bengal as the leader.

Top 10 Rice-Producing States in India (2024)
The following states have been ranked based on their rice production for the crop year 2023-24:
- Telangana: 16.87 million tonnes (Mt)
- Uttar Pradesh: 15.99 Mt
- West Bengal: 15.69 Mt
- Punjab: 14.36 Mt
- Chhattisgarh: 9.70 Mt
- Odisha: 8.47 Mt
- Bihar: 7.90 Mt
- Andhra Pradesh: 7.34 Mt
- Madhya Pradesh: 7.24 Mt
- Tamil Nadu: 6.80 Mt
This ranking is based on Final Estimates data for the crop year, which spans from July 2023 to June 2024. It’s worth noting that Advanced Estimates for the upcoming crop year 2024-25 are also available, but these figures are subject to revisions.

State-wise Rice Production and Cultivation Data
The table below provides detailed insights into rice production, the area under cultivation, and yield per hectare for the top rice-producing states:


Important Facts About Rice Production in India
- National Production and Yield:
- India’s total rice production for the crop year 2023-24 is estimated at 137.82 million tonnes, an increase of 2.06 million tonnes from the previous year’s production of 135.76 million tonnes.
- The total area under rice cultivation was 47.83 million hectares, with an average yield of 2,882 kilograms per hectare.
- Top Performers:
- Production: Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal are the top three rice-producing states.
- Area Under Cultivation: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Telangana account for the largest cultivated areas.
- Yield: Punjab leads in yield with 4,516 kg/ha, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Haryana, both achieving a yield of 3,822 kg/ha.
- Global Context:
- India is the world’s second-largest producer of rice after China and remains the largest exporter of rice globally.
- India has the largest area under rice cultivation worldwide.
- Seasonal Crops:
- Although rice is primarily a kharif crop, certain varieties are also grown during the rabi and zaid (summer) seasons in specific regions.

Conclusion
The shift in rice production leadership to Telangana highlights the dynamic nature of India’s agricultural sector. With advancements in farming techniques, efficient irrigation systems, and favorable government policies, Telangana’s achievement underscores the potential for other states to boost their agricultural output. For policymakers and stakeholders, these findings emphasize the importance of data-driven strategies to sustain and enhance India’s position as a global rice powerhouse.
For more details, visit the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare or refer to their latest reports on rice production. Stay tuned for updates as new data for the crop year 2024-25 becomes available.