APEDA and IRRI Team Up to Boost Non-Basmati Rice Exports with New Varieties and Products
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, collaborated with the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) to host a workshop on August 29 in New Delhi. The event focused on ‘Profiling of Potential Varieties of Non-Basmati Rice and Value-Added Rice Products.’
The workshop highlighted findings from two key research projects:
- ‘Comprehensive Grain and Nutritional Quality Profiling of Non-Basmati Rice,’ which aimed to identify high-quality, nutrient-rich, low glycaemic index (GI) rice varieties with geographical indication (GI) tags from various Indian states.
- ‘Value-Added Products from Rice and Rice-Based Food Systems,’ a project focused on developing innovative and healthier rice-based products such as nutrient-dense rice muesli, whole grain rice cookies, popped rice, rice flakes, and instant upma.
These projects, supported by APEDA, are being conducted at the Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition lab at IRRI’s South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi. During the workshop, IRRI presented profiles of potential non-basmati rice varieties from across India and showcased value-added products with strong global market potential.
In his keynote address, Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce, praised the collaborative efforts of APEDA and IRRI, highlighting the significant export potential and health benefits of the identified non-basmati rice varieties, including their low glycaemic index and climate resilience. He also emphasised the importance of value addition and branding to enhance the marketability of these rice varieties.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev provided insights into the crucial role of the rice industry in India, the need for value addition, and the importance of research to improve sustainability and global competitiveness. He stressed the importance of collective efforts to boost rice exports and benefit stakeholders across the value chain, highlighting the need for strategies to increase exports of rice and rice-based products. He stated, ‘These projects not only respond to the growing demand for healthier food options but also capitalise on traditional rice varieties to create value-added products.’
Building on the success of APEDA’s initiatives, strategic collaboration with stakeholders and focused marketing efforts will be crucial in expanding both domestic and international market reach. This approach will contribute to a premium economy and enhance export potential within the non-basmati rice category. APEDA’s support has been instrumental in the success of these projects, enabling ISARC to lead advancements that will shape the future of India’s rice industry. The combined focus on developing low GI rice varieties and nutrient-dense value-added products is poised to boost India’s export capabilities and drive significant economic growth in the agricultural and food processing sectors.
Doubts Revealed
APEDA -: APEDA stands for Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It is an organization in India that helps promote the export of agricultural products.
IRRI -: IRRI stands for International Rice Research Institute. It is a global organization that works on improving rice production and quality.
Non-Basmati Rice -: Non-Basmati rice refers to varieties of rice that are not Basmati. Basmati rice is known for its long grains and aroma, while non-Basmati rice includes many other types of rice.
New Varieties -: New varieties of rice are different types of rice that have been developed to have better qualities, like being more nutritious or growing better in certain conditions.
Value-Added Products -: Value-added products are items that have been processed or enhanced in some way to make them more valuable, like turning rice into muesli or cookies.
Rice Muesli -: Rice muesli is a breakfast food made from rice mixed with other ingredients like nuts and dried fruits.
Whole Grain Cookies -: Whole grain cookies are cookies made from whole grains, which means they use all parts of the grain, making them healthier.
Rajesh Agrawal -: Rajesh Agrawal is a person mentioned in the summary who is likely involved in the rice export project.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev -: Abhishek Dev is the Chairman of APEDA, the organization that helps promote the export of agricultural products from India.
Export Potential -: Export potential refers to the possibility of selling these new rice varieties and products to other countries.