Chhattisgarh to Extend Mandi Fee Exemption for Rice Exporters for One More Year

In a major boost to rice exports and the agri-economy of the state, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday announced that the exemption on mandi (agricultural market) fee for rice exporters will be extended for another year. The decision is aimed at strengthening the state’s presence in the global rice market while providing relief to exporters and farmers alike.

The Chief Minister made the announcement while addressing the second edition of the India International Rice Summit, held at a private resort in Raipur. According to an official statement, Sai said the continuation of the mandi fee exemption would play a crucial role in accelerating rice exports from the state and enhancing the competitiveness of Chhattisgarh rice in international markets.

He noted that the summit had emerged as an important global platform, bringing together rice buyers from 12 countries and embassy delegations from six nations. Such participation reflects the growing international interest in Chhattisgarh’s rice sector and would help the state gain wider recognition in the global rice trade, he said.

Reiterating Chhattisgarh’s identity as the “rice bowl” of India, Sai said rice remains central to the state’s food culture and agricultural economy. He highlighted the diversity of paddy varieties grown across the state, with special emphasis on the aromatic Jeeraphool and Dubraj rice from the Surguja region, both known for their distinctive fragrance and premium quality.

The Chief Minister recalled that the mandi fee exemption, long demanded by rice exporters, was introduced last year and was originally set to expire in December 2025. Its extension, he said, would further encourage exports and provide stability to the rice value chain.

Sai also said that the state’s new industrial policy places strong emphasis on promoting small-scale industries, which is expected to strengthen rice processing infrastructure and boost export capacity. Currently, Chhattisgarh exports nearly one lakh tonnes of rice to around 90 countries, and the government remains fully committed to supporting exporters, he added.

Highlighting farmer welfare measures, the Chief Minister said paddy growers are being paid Rs 3,100 per quintal, with procurement capped at 21 quintals per acre. Last year, around 149 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured, and procurement is expected to rise further this year.

On the occasion, Sai inaugurated the regional office of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). He also visited a rice-focused exhibition at the summit, which showcased diverse rice varieties, region-specific strains, innovations in cultivation practices and the use of modern technology to enhance productivity.