Growth and Instability Analysis of Rice Production in India: A Zone Wise Study

Abstract

The present study was undertaken both comprehensively and intensively to study the growth rate and instability of rice production in India. Rice yields are also affected by pests, diseases like rice blast and weeds. Sustainable practices like integrated pest management and rice-duck farming help to mitigate these issues. India is the second largest producer of rice in the world after China. It is a staple food for nearly half of the global population, especially in Asia and Africa. The study was carried out based on secondary data which was collected for the period from 1990-91 to 2021-22. Trend analysis, growth rates and instability indices were computed. Global data related to area, production, and productivity of different selected crops was collected from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stat. Results showed that the growth rate of area of rice was lower in all zones except negative growth in Southern and Eastern zones. The production growth rate was low in all zones except medium growth in Northern zone. The growth rate of productivity was low in all zones. Area, production and productivity showed low instability in rice. Therefore, it is essential to promote drought-resistant and flood-resistant rice varieties through agricultural research to reduce instability in rice due to over-reliance on monsoon rains and regional concentration (Punjab, Haryana for rice) and climate shocks (droughts, floods). Expand irrigation coverage and modernize irrigation systems to reduce dependence on erratic rainfall and ensures stable production across seasons.