印度政府高调宣布超越中国，印媒一针见血

Core Viewpoint - India has surpassed China to become the world's largest rice producer, with projected production of 150.18 million tons by 2025 compared to China's 145.28 million tons, marking a significant shift in global agricultural dynamics [2][6]. Group 1: Production Achievements - India's rice production has reached a historic milestone, transitioning from a food-deficient nation to a key food exporter, with rice now being an important tool in India's foreign policy [2][6]. - The achievement challenges the long-held belief that China was the largest rice producer, as this is the first time India has outproduced China in rice [2][6]. Group 2: Agricultural Challenges - Despite the production success, there are concerns about the sustainability of rice farming in India, particularly regarding the depletion of groundwater resources, which has led farmers to incur significant debt to drill deeper wells [3][7]. - In key rice-producing states like Haryana and Punjab, groundwater levels have significantly declined, requiring drilling depths of 24 to 61 meters compared to just 9 meters a decade ago [3][7]. Group 3: Yield Comparisons - Although India has a larger area dedicated to rice cultivation than China, its yield per hectare remains significantly lower, with projections estimating an average yield of 4,390 kg per hectare by 2025-2026, still below the global average and China's yield of approximately 7,100 kg per hectare [4][8]. - Historical data shows that India's rice yield has improved over the decades, from 668 kg per hectare in 1950-1951 to 2,809 kg per hectare in 2021-2022, but the gap in productivity compared to global standards raises concerns about the sustainability of its leading position [4][8].