Rice Leadership: Ram Nath Kovind Urges Shift to Quality and Sustainability
Former President Ram Nath Kovind urges India to transition from a top rice producer to a global leader in quality and sustainable cultivation.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind has called upon India to evolve its agricultural strategy, urging the nation to move beyond its current status as a top producer and exporter of rice. Speaking at the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026, Kovind emphasized that India must now strive to become a global leader in sustainable rice cultivation, quality, and value addition to truly strengthen its position in the international market.
Beyond Volume: The Quest for Quality and Value
While acknowledging India's current dominance in the global rice trade, the former President noted that this position brings significant responsibilities. He argued that the ambition should not merely be about quantity, but about dominating the sectors of agricultural innovation and value addition.
According to Kovind, the entire rice value chain requires a comprehensive overhaul. He identified several critical areas that need strengthening:
- Production: Implementing better seeds and advanced farming practices to boost both productivity and quality.
- Post-Harvest: Adopting modern harvesting methods and scientific storage to drastically reduce losses.
- Logistics: Improving transportation and processing to ensure the product reaches the market in peak condition.
- Marketing: Developing stronger branding and reliable supply chains to penetrate new international markets and foster long-term buyer relationships.
Combatting Climate Change and Resource Depletion
The former President highlighted a sobering reality: the mounting pressure on natural resources and the unpredictable nature of climate change. He stressed that the traditional ways of cultivating, processing, and trading agricultural produce must change to survive these challenges.
"We will have to increase productivity while reducing water consumption and protecting soil health," Kovind stated, emphasizing that modern technology must be democratized and made accessible to small-scale farmers and enterprises.
Empowering the Village Economy
Central to Kovind's vision is the belief that global success is meaningless if it does not translate into local prosperity. He asserted that the ultimate goal should be a rice economy where international growth creates tangible, meaningful gains at the village level.
To achieve this, he suggested that farmers need:
- Better access to cutting-edge technology.
- Real-time, timely information regarding market requirements.
- Dependable buyers and scientific storage facilities to secure better financial returns.
A Blueprint for Food Security and Viksit Bharat 2047
Addressing the broader concept of food security, Kovind clarified that it extends far beyond simply increasing production. He defined true food security as ensuring that food is not only available but also affordable, accessible, and nutritious.
As India marches toward the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Kovind urged conference participants to focus on three primary pillars:
- Market Partnerships: Creating links that connect farmers directly to markets to ensure fair returns.
- Innovation Investment: Prioritizing research that improves productivity while safeguarding the environment.
- Transparent Trade: Building international trade relations based on mutual benefit, reliability, and transparency.
The former President concluded with the hope that the conference would pave the way for new cooperation and advance the shared goals of inclusive prosperity and sustainable agriculture.