Pilibhit to Emerge on the Basmati Map, Lease Deed Transferred for Basmati and Organic Training Centre

- From Pilibhit, Uttar Pardesh 

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has initiated the establishment of a Basmati and organic training centre-cum-demonstration farm in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh to boost Basmati rice exports and promote organic farming. The lease deed for the project land was formally transferred to APEDA by the state government on Tuesday in the presence of Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada.

The upcoming facility will be APEDA’s second Basmati-focused centre in Uttar Pradesh after Meerut. It aims to support farmers with improved seed varieties, modern cultivation practices, quality certification, and production aligned with international market demand. 

Addressing the event, Union Minister Jitin Prasada said the centre would help farmers access global markets for Basmati rice and organic products. He emphasized that the government is consistently working to enhance farmers’ income and integrate Indian agricultural produce with global value chains. He also thanked the Uttar Pradesh government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for facilitating land allocation for the project.

Union Minister Jitin Prasada announced that the centre will be named after Veerangna Avanti Bai Lodhi. He added that the facility would benefit not only Pilibhit but also farmers across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. “Pilibhit will now gain recognition in India and abroad for Basmati rice, and improved varieties will also be developed here,” he said.

Highlighting the broader impact, Prasada noted that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of farmer welfare and Atmanirbhar Bharat. India is already a global leader in Basmati rice exports, and the new centre is expected to further strengthen export growth. He added that direct export linkages would help farmers secure better prices and generate employment opportunities in the region.

APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev said the centre would provide farmers with guidance on improved seeds, quality standards, testing facilities, packaging, and export procedures. Demonstration farms will showcase advanced techniques in Basmati and organic cultivation. He added that this would be the country’s first organic demonstration and seed farm under APEDA, marking a significant step in agricultural export promotion.

According to APEDA officials, the centre will act as a bridge between farmers and exporters, strengthening supply chains and reducing export-related bottlenecks. The event was attended by APEDA Secretary Dr Sudhanshu, other officials, local representatives, agricultural experts, exporters, and farmers.

7-Acre Training Centre and Demo Farm
The centre will be developed on a 7-acre plot in Tanda Bijesi village of Amaria tehsil in Pilibhit. It is expected to serve farmers, exporters, seed producers, processors, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Basmati-growing regions.

Focus On Quality Production
The facility will help improve Basmati production and quality while bringing a scientific and organized approach to exports. Farmers will receive practical training on advanced Basmati varieties, modern farming techniques, pest and disease management, organic cultivation, and seed production.

Global Standards For Export
For exporters, the centre will serve as a key resource for international standards, traceability, residue management, and export requirements.

The centre will include state-of-the-art infrastructure such as:

• Laboratory for Basmati DNA testing, pesticide residue, and heavy metal analysis
• Advanced seed production unit
• Research and demonstration centre
• Specialized training programmes for farmers