India’s premium Basmati rice industry is set for a major upgrade with a long-term, future-focused initiative led by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. The authority has signed a 70-year lease agreement to establish the country’s first integrated Basmati and organic farming training centre in Pilibhit.
Located in Tanda Bijaisi across nearly seven acres, the centre is designed to be much more than a training facility. It will function as a complete ecosystem for farmers, students, and agri-professionals, combining education, research, and real-world application.
🌾 What the Centre Will Offer
The upcoming campus will include:
- Modern training halls for skill development
- A dedicated agriculture laboratory for testing and research
- Storage units for organic inputs
- An interactive museum showcasing the journey of Basmati and organic farming
This makes it the first-of-its-kind hub in India blending traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices under one roof.
🤖 AI Meets Agriculture
Alongside the physical centre, APEDA is launching an AI-based Basmati paddy survey project (2026–2028) in collaboration with All India Rice Exporters Association.
This initiative will:
- Cover nearly 4 million hectares of farmland
- Connect with over 500,000 farmers
- Collect data from 150,000+ ground points
The goal is simple: help farmers make smarter decisions through real-time insights on crop health, variety identification, and yield optimization.
📈 Why This Matters
Basmati rice remains one of India’s strongest global exports, backed by its Geographical Indication (GI) status.
- Export Value (2025–26): ~$5.67 billion
- Export Volume: ~6.5 million metric tonnes
- Key Markets: Middle East, Europe, North America
With global demand shifting toward chemical-free food, organic Basmati is emerging as a high-value opportunity.
🔬 Boost to Research & Innovation
The Pilibhit centre is also being integrated into the All India Coordinated Research Project, making it an official hub for:
- Testing new Basmati varieties
- Developing climate-resilient crops
- Improving pest resistance and yield stability
🌱 A New Future for Farmers
This initiative tackles real challenges farmers face today:
- Unpredictable climate conditions
- Rising cost of organic certification
- Changing export demands
With training + AI + research support, farmers can:
- Improve crop quality
- Reduce losses
- Access premium markets
- Increase income through organic pricing
If executed well, this 70-year project could transform Pilibhit into a global hub for premium and organic Basmati rice, strengthening India’s export leadership while building a more sustainable farming ecosystem.
