Bhubaneswar: Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment chaired a crucial brainstorming session aimed at formulating a robust Rice Export Policy, focusing on establishing a system of cluster-based cultivation to produce export-quality rice and effectively meet evolving global demand.
The scope for rice exports from Odisha is substantial, primarily leveraging the state’s status as a major non-Basmati rice producer and its strategic geographical advantage on the Bay of Bengal coast.
The export strategy centers on capitalizing on non-Basmati varieties like Swarna, Sona Masuri, and IR-64, as well as promoting unique non-Basmati aromatic varieties like Koraput Kalajeera Rice and other aromatic short-grain landraces, which are finding new markets, particularly in African and ASEAN nations like Vietnam, Senegal, and Bangladesh.
The key enabling factor is the development of the Paradip Port as a major rice-exporting hub, which drastically reduces logistics costs for exporters in the eastern region, alongside a focused state effort to establish export-oriented clusters, improve milling efficiency, and create certified traceability for high-quality, aromatic, and potentially organic rice varieties.
The session brought together representatives from key industry bodies, agricultural experts, and officials from relevant government departments, alongside representatives from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The collective goal was to chart a comprehensive strategy for the future of Indian rice exports.
APEDA’s role is to facilitate the development of the entire rice value chain, from farm to port, to ensure India is a reliable supplier of high-quality rice that meets global standards.
Discussions centred on identifying specific geographical clusters for high-quality rice production, integrating modern technology and logistics, and streamlining the export process to ensure compliance with international quality and safety standards. The deliberations are expected to form the basis of a refined policy designed to enhance India’s competitive edge in the international rice market.