What it is
Paddy is the harvested grain in its husk; rice mills de-husk and polish it. By-products are bran (for rice bran oil and feed) and husk (fuel, boards).
Basmati (GI-protected regions)Non-basmati common and Grade A paddy (MSP grades)Parboiled (usna) and raw riceBroken rice
Where India produces it
- Telangana
2023-24: 16.87 million tonnes (12.24% of India)
- Uttar Pradesh
2023-24: 15.99 million tonnes (11.6% of India)
- West Bengal
2023-24: 15.69 million tonnes (11.38% of India)
- Punjab
2023-24: 14.36 million tonnes (10.42% of India)
- Chhattisgarh
2023-24: 9.7 million tonnes (7.04% of India)
Where imports come from
India is self-sufficient; imports are negligible.
Rules before you buy or sell
- Farm-gate trade usually goes through a state APMC mandi or e-NAM; the state's market fee and trader licence rules apply.
- Import and export are governed by the ITC(HS) policy; check the current DGFT notification before you sign a contract, because policy for farm goods changes often.
- Under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 the Centre can set stock limits for traders and processors; check current orders.
- FSSAI licence or registration is needed to process, pack, store or sell it as food (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).
Storage and handling
Paddy keeps better than milled rice; store dry (about 14% moisture or less) on pallets in a fumigated godown.
Businesses that use it
Rice Mill (Mini) →Rice Flakes (Poha) Making →Murmura (Puffed Rice) Unit →Frymes (Rice Wafers) →Black Rice Processing Unit →Hill Red Rice Processing and Packing →Kala Namak Rice Processing →Katarni Rice Processing Unit →Rice Noodles Unit (Sticky Rice) →Curry Powder and Rice Powder Unit →