How China Became the World’s Largest Rice Producer: 7 Reasons Why China Produces More Rice Than Any Other Country

Rice is one of the most important crops in the world, feeding more than half of the global population. It is also a vital source of income, employment, and food security for millions of farmers and consumers. But which country produces the most rice in the world?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) database, China became the world’s biggest rice-producing country in 2021, with an estimated output of 212 million tons. This accounts for about 27% of the total world rice production of 787 million tons.

China has been the top rice producer for decades, surpassing India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, which are also among the top 10 rice-producing countries. How did China achieve this remarkable feat? Here are seven reasons why China produces more rice than any other country:

Key Takeaways

China is the world’s largest rice producer with 212 million tons in 2021.

China produces more rice than any other country because of its large and fertile land area, high-yielding varieties and improved seeds, advanced irrigation and water management, intensive and diversified cropping systems, mechanization and modernization, government support and policies, and cultural and historical significance.

China faces some challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, pest and disease outbreaks, labor shortage, food safety issues, and market competition, but also has some opportunities such as increasing domestic and international demand, improving quality and value addition, developing new varieties and technologies, enhancing sustainability and resilience, and strengthening cooperation and integration.

1. Large and fertile land area

China has a large land area of about 9.6 million square kilometers, of which about 12% is suitable for rice cultivation. China has diverse climatic zones and soil types that allow for different varieties of rice to be grown in different regions. For example, China grows japonica rice in the temperate north, indica rice in the subtropical south, and glutinous rice in the southwest.

2. High-yielding varieties and improved seeds

China has been at the forefront of rice research and development, especially in developing high-yielding varieties that can produce more grains per unit area. China has also improved the quality and availability of seeds, ensuring that farmers have access to disease-resistant, drought-tolerant, and pest-resistant varieties. Some of the most famous Chinese rice varieties include hybrid rice, super rice, and green super rice.

3. Advanced irrigation and water management

China has a long history of irrigation and water management, dating back to ancient times when farmers built canals, dams, and dikes to control water flow. Today, China has a sophisticated irrigation system that covers about 63% of its rice area. China also uses water-saving technologies such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), drip irrigation, and sprinkler irrigation to reduce water consumption and increase water productivity.

4. Intensive and diversified cropping systems

China has a high cropping intensity, meaning that it grows more than one crop per year on the same land. China grows rice in rotation with other crops such as wheat, maize, soybean, rapeseed, cotton, and vegetables. This helps to maintain soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and increase farm income. China also practices intercropping, relay cropping, and agroforestry, which involve growing different crops together or in succession to enhance resource use efficiency and biodiversity.

5. Mechanization and modernization

China has invested heavily in mechanizing its rice production, especially in harvesting, threshing, drying, milling, and storage. This helps to reduce labor costs, increase efficiency, and improve quality. China has also adopted modern technologies such as drones, satellites, sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data to monitor crop growth, diagnose problems, apply inputs, and optimize management.

6. Government support and policies

China has a strong government support and policy framework for its rice sector. The government provides subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, irrigation, insurance, and minimum support prices. The government also regulates the market supply and demand of rice through stockpiling, imports and exports quotas, tariffs, and quality standards. The government also promotes research and extension services to disseminate new technologies and practices to farmers.

7. Cultural and historical significance

Rice is not only a food crop but also a cultural symbol for China. Rice has been cultivated in China for over 10 thousand years and is deeply embedded in its history, traditions, festivals, and cuisine. Rice is considered a staple food for most Chinese people and a source of national pride and identity. Rice is also associated with prosperity, happiness, and harmony.

Tips

To grow high-quality rice, choose suitable varieties, use certified seeds, apply balanced fertilizers, control weeds, pests, and diseases, and harvest at the right time.

To save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, practice alternate wetting and drying (AWD), which involves keeping the soil moist but not flooded during most of the growth stage.

To increase farm income and diversify production, grow rice in rotation or intercropping with other crops such as wheat, maize, soybean, rapeseed, cotton, and vegetables.

To access government support and policies, register your farm with the local authorities, follow the quality standards and regulations, and apply for subsidies and insurance.

To enjoy the cultural and historical significance of rice, celebrate the rice festivals such as Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, and try different rice dishes such as fried rice, congee, and zongzi.

The Largest Producer of Rice in the World is China

According to the FAO database, China became the world’s biggest rice-producing country in 2021, with a production of 212 million tons. This accounts for about 27% of the global rice production, which was 787 million tons in 2021. China has been the leading rice producer for decades, surpassing India and Indonesia, which are the second and third largest producers respectively.

Global Demand for Rice is Increasing

Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population, especially in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Rice provides more than one-fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by humans. As the world population grows and urbanizes, the demand for rice is expected to increase in the coming years. The FAO estimates that by 2050, rice consumption will reach 555 million tons, up from 415 million tons in 2018.

Challenges and Opportunities for the Rice Industry

The rice industry faces several challenges, such as climate change, water scarcity, pests and diseases, land degradation, and market volatility. These factors affect the productivity, quality, and profitability of rice farming. To overcome these challenges, the rice industry needs to adopt more sustainable and resilient practices, such as improved varieties, irrigation systems, pest management, and post-harvest technologies. The rice industry also has opportunities to diversify its products and markets, such as organic rice, fortified rice, specialty rice, and processed rice products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How much rice does China consume per year?
A: According to the FAO, China consumed about 143 million tons of rice in 2019, which is about 68% of its production.

Q2: How much rice does China export and import per year?
A: According to the FAO, China exported about 3.3 million tons of rice and imported about 4.5 million tons of rice in 2019.

Q3: What are the main types of rice grown in China?
A: The main types of rice grown in China are japonica, indica, and glutinous rice, which have different characteristics such as grain size, shape, color, texture, and taste.

Q4: What are the main challenges facing China’s rice sector?
A: Some of the main challenges facing China’s rice sector are climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, pest and disease outbreaks, labor shortage, food safety issues, and market competition.

Q5: What are the main opportunities for China’s rice sector?
A: Some of the main opportunities for China’s rice sector are increasing domestic and international demand, improving quality and value addition, developing new varieties and technologies, enhancing sustainability and resilience, and strengthening cooperation and integration.

References:

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL

http://www.fao.org/rice2004/en/f-sheet/factsheet3.pdf

http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/272535/9789241550291-eng.pdf?ua=1

https://web.archive.org/web/20110623111926/https://ricehoppers.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Escalada-et-al-2009.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20111226111455/https://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/extmats/philmanual.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222526251

http://www.fao.org/economic/est/publications/rice-publications/rice-market-monitor-rmm/en/
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/03/visualizing-the-world-s-biggest-rice-producers/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_rice_production