Question : Export of Basmati Rice

(a) whether APEDA has organised any workshop during the last few days to increase export opportunity of Basmati rice and bring vividness in it;
(b) if so, whether the issues of developing new variety of basmati rice and price escalation have been discussed in the said workshop;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the export of basmati has increased during the year 2020 vis-a-vis previous year;
(e) if so, the percentage thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(f) whether any effort is being made by the Government to increase the yield of basmati rice in Gujarat as well as enhance its export to the whole world and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) to (c) : Yes, Sir. Considering the potential and prospects of export of Basmati rice, APEDA organized a workshop on ‘Opportunities in Export of Organic Basmati Rice, Value Addition and Product Diversification’ on 15th December 2020 in New Delhi. Issues like importance of judicious use of pesticides and phytosanitary compliances in export of Basmati rice; export scenario of Basmati rice; industry perspective on product diversification; potential of value addition in Basmati rice; export potential of organic Basmati rice etc. were discussed in the workshop.






(d) & (e) : Yes, Sir. The export of Basmati rice has grown during the current financial year (Apr – Dec 2020) as compared to the exports during the corresponding period of 2019-20. Details are as under:

Period Qty (Lakh MTs) Value (Rs. in crores)
April - December 2019 28.43 20,926.30
April -December 2020 33.81 22,038.01
Growth 18.92% 5.31%
Source: DGCI&S
(f) Basmati rice is a registered GI Product and is grown in the seven states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. The State of Gujarat is not covered under the GI Tag for Basmati rice. However, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Rice in Panchmahal and Vadodara districts of Gujarat. Under NFSM, assistance is being provided for various interventions like demonstrations on latest crop production & protection technologies, promotion of newly released varieties/HYVs/Hybrids/ climate resilient/ stress tolerant/bio-fortified varieties, integrated nutrient/pest management techniques, water saving devices, improved farm implements/tools and capacity building of farmers.
Promotion of exports of agricultural products is an ongoing process. To promote agricultural exports, including of Basmati rice, the Government has introduced a comprehensive Agriculture Export Policy, which is under implementation in collaboration with the States/ UTs. The Department of Commerce also implements several other schemes to promote exports, including exports of agricultural products, viz. Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme etc.
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