About

Rice is the staple food for more than half of the population and hence is a key pillar for food security. Rice accounted for 42% of the total food grain production in the country in 2008-09. The major rice growing states in the country are west Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh (undivided), Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, and Chhatisgarh, which together contribute to about 72% area and 75% of the total production of rice in the country. There are two major production seasons – Kharif (planting: June to October; harvesting: November to February) and Rabi (planting: November to February; harvesting: March to June).

One of the major constraints to the production of rice in the country is erratic rainfall that causes drought in certain areas and submergence in others. Other major constraints are land, labor and inputs.

The country partner of the Rice Knowledge Bank is the Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP, www.rkmp.co.in) of the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Indian Council for Agriculture Research.