Date: 2026-04-30Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Signs 70-Year Lease Agreement for Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit
**Executive Summary**
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed a 70-year lease agreement with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to establish a Basmati and Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm in Pilibhit. Launched on April 30, 2026, the initiative includes India’s first AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey project (2026–2028) to enhance crop assessment and export planning. The project aims to strengthen the Basmati ecosystem and promote sustainable organic cultivation to meet global market demands.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Establishment of Training Centre**
* A 70-year lease has been formalised for a seven-acre facility at Tanda Bijaisi, Pilibhit.
* The centre will feature an auditorium, laboratory, conference room, and storage for organic farming inputs.
* It will serve as the country’s first demonstration farm covering both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation.
* Proposed facilities include an AI-based interactive museum and a dedicated outlet for quality seeds and organic inputs.
* **National Research and Development**
* The facility is designated as an All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) centre for national-level Basmati trials.
* It will be the third AICRP centre in Uttar Pradesh’s Basmati GI zone, following Nagina and Modipuram.
* The centre will focus on the systematic testing and evaluation of new Basmati varieties suited to regional agro-climatic conditions.
* **AI-Based Basmati Paddy Survey Project (2026–2028)**
* Implemented by APEDA in collaboration with the All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA).
* The project covers 4 million hectares and integrates data from 150,000 ground-truth points.
* It aims to engage over 500,000 farmers to provide scientific advisory services and precise varietal identification.
* The data will be used to improve export planning and crop assessment accuracy.
* **Export and Sustainability Goals**
* Basmati rice exports reached USD 5.67 billion (6.5 million metric tonnes) in 2025–26.
* APEDA is focusing on training, certification support, and market linkage to facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices.
* Initiatives are designed to align with global demand for environmentally responsible agricultural produce in markets like the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
**Impact Analysis**
**Basmati and Organic Farmers**
**Impact**
Farmers in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will benefit from specialized training, capacity building, and access to a resource centre for quality seeds and organic inputs.
**Action Required**
Engage with the training centre’s programs and participate in the AI-based survey to receive scientific advisory services.
**Agricultural Experts and Students**
**Impact**
The centre provides a platform for research, experiential learning through the AI-based museum, and access to national-level Basmati trials.
**Action Required**
Utilize the facility as a resource centre for the testing and evaluation of new Basmati varieties.
**APEDA and All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA)**
**Impact**
These bodies will gain access to precise, large-scale data to enhance India's agricultural export strategy and varietal monitoring.
**Action Required**
Collaborate on the implementation of the AI-based survey project and manage the 2026–2028 data collection timeline.
**Government of Uttar Pradesh / Department of Agriculture**
**Impact**
Strengthens the state’s position as a major Basmati-producing region and expands the network of research centres in the GI zone.
**Action Required**
Facilitate the operationalization of the facility and support the expansion of organic cultivation in the region.
Key Entities Referenced
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): The primary authority responsible for establishing the Basmati & Organic Training Centre and implementing the AI-based survey project to enhance export planning.
Basmati & Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm: India's first facility for conventional and organic Basmati cultivation, designed to serve as a resource center for farmers, agricultural experts, and students.
AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey project: A large-scale initiative (2026–2028) launched to utilize AI for precise crop assessment, varietal identification, and scientific advisory services for over 500,000 farmers.
All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP): A national research framework under which the new Pilibhit center has been designated to conduct national-level Basmati trials.
Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh: The primary location for the new training center and AI survey implementation, recognized as a major Basmati-producing region and part of the Basmati GI zone.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority (APEDA) Signs 70-
Year Lease Agreement for Basmati and Organic
Training Centre in Pilibhit
AI-Based Basmati Paddy Survey Project Launched to
Enhance Crop Assessment and Export Planning
Posted On: 30 APR 2026 10:39AM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening the Basmati rice ecosystem in India, the transfer of land for the
establishment of a Basmati & Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm at Tanda Bijaisi, Pilibhit, has
been formalised through the signing of a 70-year lease agreement between the Agricultural and Processed
Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Department of Agriculture, and the
Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The proposed Basmati & Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm will be developed over an area of
approximately seven acres. The centre will be equipped with facilities including an auditorium, museum
and gallery on Basmati and organic farming, conference room, laboratory and storage space for organic
farming inputs. The facility is expected to support training and capacity building for Basmati and organic
farmers, and also serve as a resource centre for agricultural experts and students.
Once established, the facility will be the country’s first Basmati organic training and demonstration farm
covering both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation. Owing to its location, the centre is expected
to benefit farmers and stakeholders in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and
Information Technology, Shri Jitin Prasada, appreciated the initiative and highlighted the potential of
Pilibhit as a major Basmati-producing region. He emphasised the importance of expanding organic
cultivation and called for greater farmer engagement. Shri Prasada suggested incorporating an AI-based
interactive museum at the centre to provide information and experiential learning for visitors and students,
along with establishing a dedicated outlet for quality Basmati seeds and organic inputs for farmers.
On the occasion, Shri Jitin Prasada also unveiled India’s first AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey project
(2026–2028), to be implemented by APEDA in collaboration with the All-India Rice Exporters
Association (AIREA). The project will cover nearly 4 million hectares, collect data from over 150,000
ground-truth points and engage with more than 500,000 farmers. It aims to support precise crop
assessment, varietal identification, scientific advisory services and improved export planning.
It was also announced that the upcoming centre has been designated as an All India Coordinated Research
Projects (AICRP) centre for national-level Basmati trials, as recognised at the 61st Annual Rice Research
Group Meeting. With this, Pilibhit will become the third AICRP centre in Uttar Pradesh’s Basmati GI zoneafter Nagina (Bijnor) and BEDF Modipuram, following the operationalisation of the facility. This will
facilitate systematic testing and evaluation of new Basmati varieties suited to the region’s agro-climatic
conditions.
Basmati rice, a Geographical Indication (GI) product of India, recorded exports valued at USD 5.67
billion in 2025–26, with export volumes reaching around 6.5 million metric tonnes. The sector continues
to contribute significantly to India’s agricultural exports, with a strong presence in markets across the
Middle East, Europe and North America.
APEDA is promoting organic farming through training, certification support and market linkage initiatives
to facilitate adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. These efforts are aligned with global demand for
environmentally responsible produce.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and
Information Technology, Shri Jitin Prasada, senior public representatives of the district, officials of
APEDA, the Government of Uttar Pradesh and other stakeholders.
***
Abhishek Dayal/Garima Singh/Anushka Pandey
(Release ID: 2256837) Visitor Counter : 746
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