India's agricultural productivity gap with China highlights need for farm reforms

Hindustan Times - India · 12 Sept 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Agriculture Mains · GS3 Agriculture High relevance

India's cereal yields have improved but remain significantly lower than China's, with China producing double India's output despite having less cultivated land, underscoring the urgent need for agricultural modernization and policy interventions.

Key points

Productivity gap: China's 2025 cereal yield was 660.2 million tonnes versus India's 324.8 million tonnes, with China achieving higher yields per hectare across rice (7,205 kg/ha vs 2,915 kg/ha), wheat (5,940 kg/ha vs 3,591 kg/ha), and maize (6,700 kg/ha vs 3,824 kg/ha).

Irrigation disparity: China's near-universal irrigation coverage for paddy contrasts with India's mixed rainfed-irrigated systems, though Punjab's irrigated regions match Chinese yields.

Crop cycle challenges: Delayed wheat sowing in India's paddy-wheat cycle exposes crops to heat stress, reducing yields compared to China's more optimized planting schedules.

Technology adoption: China's widespread use of genetically modified crops contributes to higher yields, while India faces regulatory and adoption hurdles in GM technology.

Progress indicators: India's maize yields grew 27% (2019-20 to 2025-26), outperforming rice (7%) and wheat (4%), showing potential for targeted crop improvement strategies.

Institutional response: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is developing climate-resilient wheat varieties and promoting water-efficient direct-seeded rice (DSR) techniques.

[GS3-Economy] The productivity gap impacts India's food security and trade balance, with agricultural exports needing higher yields to compete globally in the post-WTO regime.

BRICS cooperation: The June 2026 BRICS Agriculture Ministers' meeting identified low productivity as a key challenge, proposing joint efforts in technology transfer, digital agriculture, and mechanization.

Way Forward: India should accelerate micro-irrigation adoption under PMKSY, establish crop-specific technology missions for hybrid seeds, and create a BRICS agricultural innovation fund for joint R&D in climate-resilient varieties.

Key terms

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

India's apex agricultural research body under the Ministry of Agriculture, responsible for coordinating agricultural education and research. It develops high-yielding varieties, manages 113 research institutes, and plays a pivotal role in implementing National Agricultural Research System (NARS) for food security.

Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR)

A water-efficient rice cultivation technique where seeds are sown directly into fields, bypassing nursery transplantation. It reduces water usage by 30-35% and labor costs, aligning with India's water conservation goals under the National Water Mission and PMKSY.

BRICS Joint Statistical Publication

An annual data compilation by BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) covering economic and social indicators. It serves as a key reference for comparative analysis of development parameters among emerging economies, informing policy coordination.

Productivity-Intensity Gap

The difference in agricultural output per unit of land between countries, reflecting variations in technology adoption, irrigation coverage, and farming practices. For India, closing this gap is critical for achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and ensuring long-term food security.