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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 235
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13/03/2026
CULTIVATION AND EXPORT OF TULAIPANJI RICE
*235. SHRI SAMIK BHATTACHARYA:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Ministry is aware of the increasing cultivation and export demand for
Tulaipanji rice in Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal;
(b) the initiatives that have been taken by Government to promote Tulaipanji rice both
domestically and internationally, including financial incentives and technical support to
farmers; and
(c) whether Government is working with farmers to promote organic farming methods,
especially in the cultivation of Tulaipanji rice, if so, the specific measures being
implemented to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO.235 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026 REGARDING
“CULTIVATION AND EXPORT OF TULAIPANJI RICE”
(a) & (b): The Government of India has recognized the importance of the Tulaipanji Rice
and it has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in the year 2017 as the crop is a
significant aromatic rice, primarily cultivated in Uttar Dinajpur. Tulaipanji Rice has also been
recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the Food and Culture
Heritage in 2026.
The Government of India supports the conservation and promotion of traditional/
farmers' varieties of seeds through policy measures, institutional mechanisms and financial
assistance. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, (PPV&FR Act), 2001
recognizes and protects farmers’ varieties and provides for registration of farmers’ varieties,
benefit sharing and recognition through Plant Genome Saviour wards to farmers conserving
traditional genetic resources. PPVFR Authority has registered Tulaipanji rice variety in 2016
to promote its cultivation and commercialization after granting protection.
The Agriculture Department, Government of West Bengal, has informed that the area
of Tulaipanji Rice cultivation has increased from 350 ha in 2011-12 to 9500 ha in 2025-26
through various initiatives such as "Indigenous Aromatic Rice - a Precious Wealth: It's Area
Expansion and Seed Multiplication" since Kharif 2012. Similarly, since Kharif 2025 support
has been provided by the state under the initiative "Area Expansion of GI Rice and some special
rice varieties".
The Demonstrations & Capacity Building Programmes conducted for Tulaipanji Rice
during the year 2021 to 2025 in the “Indigenous Aromatic Rice - a Precious Wealth: Its Area
Expansion & Seed Multiplication” under PM-Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) is
as given below:
S. Components Kharif Kharif Kharif Kharif Kharif Financial
No. 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Involvement
(Rs. in Lakh)
1 Area Expansion 1275 1149 1650 1603 745 301.83
Demonstration (Ha)
2 Area Sustenance 725 1275 1149 1075 1603 273.86
Demonstration (Ha)
3 Seed Production 22 22 22 22 22 5.17
Demonstration (Ha)
4 Integrated Pest 2000 2424 2799 2678 2348 189.85
Management
Demonstration (Ha)
5 Daylong Capacity 20 24 28 26 23 30.62
Building Programme
(No.)
The Demonstrations & Capacity Building Programmes conducted for Tulaipanji Rice
during Kharif 2025 under State’s Development Scheme is as given below:
S.No Components Kharif Financial Involvement (Rs. In
. 2025 Lakh)
1 Area Expansion Demonstration (Ha) 100 3
2 Daylong Capacity Building Programme 5 0.625
(No.)Tulaipanji rice has been showcased at various events such as the World Food India and
AAHAR, Indus Food, Biofach India, Gulfood 2026, Bharat International Rice Conference and
2nd edition of India International Rice Summit 2026.
(c): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its Plan Scheme
“Network Project on Organic Farming” (NPOF) also undertakes research to develop location
specific organic farming package of practices for crops and cropping systems including Rice.
To preserve its characteristic aroma and flavour, the Tulaipanji rice is predominantly
grown using organic manure.
Organic Farming in Tulaipanji Rice cultivation is promoted under Paramparagat Krishi
Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015-16 and also through implementation of the State’s Bio-
village scheme. Further, Demonstration Centres (DCs) are being organized and training
programmes on organic farming are held under various schemes. Under the PKVY scheme, a
total of Rs.47.85 Crores (Central share as on 31.12.2025) has been released since 2015-16 to
the state of West Bengal for the promotion of organic farming including for Tulaipanji Rice.
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