New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- Former President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday called for greater investment in agricultural innovation, sustainable cultivation and stronger links between farmers and markets, saying India must move beyond being a leading rice producer and exporter to becoming a global leader in quality and value addition.

Addressing the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026, Kovind said India's position as the world's largest producer and exporter of rice brought both opportunities and responsibilities, including the need to improve farmers' incomes while protecting natural resources.

"Our ambition should be to move beyond being a leading producer and exporter to becoming a global leader in quality, sustainable cultivation, agric...