Lok Sabha Question No. 1421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Export of Basmati Rice
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1421 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th   FEBRUARY, 2021

## EXPORT OF BASMATI RICE

## 1421(H). SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will  the  Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वा�ण�य  एवं  उ�योग  मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether APEDA has organised any workshop during the last few days to increase export opportunity of Basmati rice and bring vividness in it;
- (b) if  so,  whether the issues of developing  new variety of basmati rice and price escalation have been discussed in the said workshop;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the export of basmati has increased during the year 2020 vis-a-vis previous year;
- (e) if so, the percentage thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) whether any effort is being made by the Government to increase the yield of basmati rice in Gujarat as well as enhance its export to the whole world and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) to  (c)  :  Yes,  Sir.  Considering  the  potential  and  prospects  of  export  of  Basmati  rice, APEDA organized a workshop on 'Opportunities in Export of Organic Basmati Rice, Value Addition and Product Diversification' on 15 th December 2020 in New Delhi. Issues like importance of judicious use of pesticides and phytosanitary compliances in export of Basmati rice;  export  scenario  of  Basmati  rice;  industry  perspective  on  product  diversification; potential of value addition in Basmati rice; export potential of organic Basmati rice etc. were discussed in the workshop.

(d) & (e) : Yes, Sir. The export of Basmati rice has grown during the current financial year (Apr - Dec 2020) as compared to the exports during the corresponding period of 2019-20. Details are as under:

| Period                | Qty (Lakh MTs)   | Value (Rs. in crores)   |
|-----------------------|------------------|-------------------------|
| April - December 2019 | 28.43            | 20,926.30               |
| April -December 2020  | 33.81            | 22,038.01               |
| Growth                | 18.92%           | 5.31%                   |

Source: DGCI&S

(f) Basmati rice is a registered GI Product and is grown in the seven states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. The  State  of  Gujarat  is  not  covered  under  the  GI  Tag  for  Basmati  rice.  However,  the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) - Rice in Panchmahal and Vadodara districts of Gujarat. Under NFSM, assistance is being provided for various interventions like demonstrations on latest crop production & protection technologies, promotion of newly released varieties/HYVs/Hybrids/ climate resilient/  stress  tolerant/bio-fortified  varieties,  integrated nutrient/pest management techniques, water saving devices, improved farm implements/tools and capacity building of farmers.

Promotion of exports of agricultural products is an ongoing process. To promote agricultural exports,  including  of  Basmati  rice,  the  Government  has  introduced  a  comprehensive Agriculture Export Policy, which is under implementation in collaboration with the States/ UTs.  The  Department  of  Commerce  also  implements  several  other  schemes  to  promote exports,  including  exports  of  agricultural  products,  viz.  Trade  Infrastructure  for  Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme etc.

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