Increase in Export of Non-Basmati Rice

The promotion of exports of agricultural commodities like rice is a continuous process. The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce, has the mandate to promote exports of rice. APEDA provides assistance to rice exporters under various component of its scheme “Agriculture & Processed Food Export Promotion Scheme of APEDA” viz. Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development. An Export Promotion Forum (EPF) has also been established under the aegis of APEDA to promote exports of various varieties of rice. The EPF has representation from trade/industry, line ministries/departments, regulatory agencies, research institutes, state governments etc. Assistance is also provided to exporters/state governments under various other schemes of Department of Commerce viz. Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme etc.

Two national institutes of rice namely ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack and ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Hyderabad are engaged in the development of high yielding climate resilient new varieties/hybrids ofrice, including red rice, which are tolerant to various biotic and abiotic stresses with enhanced quality. ICAR-AII India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Rice is also engaged in research and development of rice. ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Hyderabad in collaboration with its All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Rice partners have collected and evaluated 190 accessions of red rice from different parts of the country and out of which three (03) accessions have been registered with the Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV & FRA). Efforts have also been made to promote export of red rice. Under the Districts as Export Hub initiative, Baramulla and Kupwara districts of Jammu & Kashmir have been identified for export of red rice. APEDA has also facilitated export of red rice from Assam. First consignment of red rice from Assam was exported to USA in March 2021.

Country-wise details of exports of non-basmati rice, during the period April 2020 – January 2021 and corresponding period of the previous year are given below:

Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha onFriday.