New Delhi, Oct 24 – India’s biggest rice trade event, the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025, is set to open in the capital on October 30‑31. The Commerce Ministry says the two‑day forum could unlock about ₹1.80 lakh crore in new global markets for Indian rice.
During the opening session, Abhishek Dev, chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), announced that foreign ministers from the Philippines, Ghana, Namibia and Gambia will attend. “India supplies rice to 172 countries,” he said, “and BIRC gives traders a chance to slot into global supply chains.”
The conference has a clear goal: show that Indian rice, from basmati to non‑basmati varieties, can thrive in foreign kitchens. Expect to see about 3,000 farmers and farmer‑producer organisations (FPOs), more than 1,000 international buyers from 80 countries and 2,500 exporters, millers and related businesses. Key highlights include a Culinary Experience Zone—co‑created by the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF), APEDA, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and ITC Hotels—where chefs will cook and taste Indian rice dishes. Sensory panels and buyer clinics will help fine‑tune quality standards, while instant export onboarding will turn interest into trade memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on site.
A coffee‑table book will launch, telling India’s rice story through basmati heritage, geographical‑indication history, farmer tales and new technology. The event is part of the Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision, which brings together producers, exporters, importers, policymakers, financiers and research groups to boost transparency, efficiency and resilience in the rice trade.
Organised by IREF and APEDA, the conference has strong backing from major ministries, departments and state governments. In the last fiscal year, India produced about 150 million tonnes of rice—roughly 28% of the world’s total—and exported 20.1 million tonnes worth $12.95 billion to 172 markets.
Rice is a global staple, powering food security for over 4 billion people and supporting 150 million small‑holder farmers worldwide. Production has tripled since 1961, reaching nearly 776 million tonnes, and the global rice industry is valued at about $330 billion.
Because rice farming consumes a large share of irrigation water and covers extensive land, the conference will also spotlight sustainability. Discussions will focus on agronomy, irrigation innovations, certification and traceability to cut the industry’s environmental impact while boosting exports and market access.
Source: ianslive
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