Pilibhit, April 30, 2026: India’s Basmati rice sector received a substantial boost as the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority formalised a long term agreement with the Uttar Pradesh government and the agriculture department to establish a pioneering Basmati and organic farming training facility in Pilibhit.
Spread across nearly seven acres in Tanda Bijaisi, the upcoming institution will function as a national knowledge and demonstration centre focused on both traditional and organic Basmati cultivation. The project is designed to offer farmers, agricultural professionals, and students access to advanced training resources, including scientific laboratories, conference infrastructure, educational galleries, seed resources, and support systems for sustainable farming.
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada described the initiative as a landmark opportunity for Pilibhit, underlining the district’s growing prominence in premium Basmati production. He stressed the need to expand environmentally sustainable farming practices and proposed integrating modern digital learning tools, including an AI powered museum, to make the centre a major educational attraction for future generations.
During the event, Jitin Prasada also launched the country’s first artificial intelligence driven Basmati paddy survey initiative for the 2026 to 2028 period. The large scale programme, being implemented by APEDA in partnership with the All India Rice Exporters Association, will assess around four million hectares of cultivation area while gathering extensive field data from over 150,000 verification points and directly engaging more than half a million farmers.
This technology based survey is expected to strengthen agricultural forecasting, improve crop identification accuracy, provide scientific farming recommendations, and refine India’s Basmati export strategy in key international markets.
Adding to Pilibhit’s agricultural significance, the centre has also been recognised as an All India Coordinated Research Project hub for conducting nationwide Basmati varietal trials. Once operational, Pilibhit will emerge as Uttar Pradesh’s third major Basmati research centre within the GI designated region, enhancing the state’s capacity for developing region specific, climate suitable Basmati varieties.
India’s globally renowned Basmati rice industry, protected under Geographical Indication status, achieved export earnings of USD 5.67 billion during 2025 to 2026, with overseas shipments touching nearly 6.5 million metric tonnes. Demand remains robust across major markets in the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Through initiatives such as certification support, organic training programmes, and market integration, APEDA continues to strengthen India’s position in the premium global rice market while encouraging sustainable agricultural transformation.
The ceremony witnessed participation from senior government officials, district representatives, APEDA leadership, and agricultural stakeholders, marking a major milestone in India’s strategy to modernise Basmati cultivation and expand export competitiveness.
No Comments: