Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has signed a 70-year lease agreement to establish India’s first dedicated Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
The initiative aims to strengthen India’s agri-export ecosystem, especially in premium segments like Basmati rice and organic produce.
Basmati & Organic Training Centre
The centre will function as a comprehensive hub for training, research, and knowledge dissemination, benefiting farmers, exporters, and stakeholders.
Key Features
First-of-its-kind facility:
- Dedicated to both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation
- Includes a training and demonstration farm
Capacity Building:
- Enhances farmer skills and promotes best agricultural practices
Quality & Traceability:
- Focus on improving export-quality standards and traceability systems
Regional Impact:
- Benefits farmers from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
Export Orientation:
- Aligns production with global market requirements
Research & Institutional Role
- Designated as an All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) centre
- Will support:
- National-level Basmati trials
- Testing and evaluation of new crop varieties suited to regional conditions
AI-Based Basmati Paddy Survey Project (2026–2028)
In parallel, APEDA has launched an AI-driven crop assessment initiative to strengthen planning and forecasting.
Key Features
- Coverage Area: about 4 million hectares
- Data Points: Over 150,000 ground-truth locations
- Farmer Engagement: More than 500,000 farmers
- Technology Use:
- AI tools for accurate crop assessment
- Varietal identification
- Scientific advisory services
Objectives
- Improve yield estimation and production forecasting
- Enable better export planning and policy support
- Reduce uncertainties in supply chains
About APEDA
- Established under Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Act, 1985
- Functions under Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Mandate: Promote export of agricultural and processed food products