APEDA to Set Up Basmati Training Centre in Pilibhit

The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will establish a basmati and organic training centre along with a demonstration farm in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh. The project has moved forward after the transfer of 7 acres of land at the government agriculture farm in Tanda Bijesi village. With an estimated investment of around Rs 15 crore, the centre aims to improve premium basmati cultivation, organic farming practices and export readiness among farmers.

Focus on Basmati and Organic Farming

The centre will provide specialised training to farmers in premium basmati rice cultivation, seed production, export standards and organic farming methods. It is expected to strengthen the agricultural economy of the region by promoting high-value crops and improving export opportunities.

The project will be executed by the Public Works Department and construction is expected to be completed within one year. It is intended to serve not only Pilibhit farmers but also cultivators from nearby districts and neighbouring states.

AI-Based Satellite Survey for Crop Mapping

A major feature of the project will be the use of artificial intelligence for satellite-based surveys of basmati crops. This system will help map cultivation areas, identify different basmati varieties and generate accurate production estimates for export planning.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada stated that this technology-driven approach will support better policy decisions and improve export forecasting. It will also help in maintaining quality standards and ensuring traceability in the export chain.

Facilities at the New Centre

According to APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, the training centre will include a seed unit, an auditorium, and a museum displaying 45 notified basmati rice varieties. It will also house an NABL-accredited laboratory for testing DNA, pesticide residues and heavy metals.

Such infrastructure will help ensure quality assurance for export markets, especially in countries with strict food safety standards. The centre will function under the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF), becoming the second such centre in Uttar Pradesh after Meerut.

Important Facts for Exams

• APEDA was established in 1986 under the APEDA Act to promote agricultural and processed food exports from India.
• Basmati rice is mainly grown in the Indo-Gangetic plains of north-western India.
• NABL stands for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
• BEDF works under APEDA to support basmati production, research and export promotion.

Training Target and Regional Importance

BEDF aims to train more than 50,000 farmers by the end of 2025–26 across seven basmati-producing states. The Pilibhit centre will support farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, creating a regional hub for basmati excellence.

This initiative is expected to improve farmer incomes, promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen India’s position in global basmati exports. With technology, testing and training combined, the project reflects a broader strategy to modernise agricultural exports and improve rural livelihoods.