However, many rice farmers in the country’s agricultural heartlands are in a less celebratory mood. That dependence makes rice farmers in both states particularly vulnerable to climate change, since aquifers are not fully recharged when monsoon rains are weak. There are some signs that Indian officials are hoping to break the vicious cycle between rice subsidies and groundwater extraction. The government would also save by paring back on the amount of rice subsidies paid out, he said. Farmers would be willing to swap crops if properly incentivized, Punjab rice grower Gurmeet Singh said.

Source: Taipei Times December 31, 2025 16:34 UTC