Executive Summary:
This document responds to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding Kalanamak rice exports since its GI tag declaration in 2012. It details the lack of specific export data for Kalanamak rice until recently, outlines government initiatives to promote it internationally, and explains the process for granting GI tags to other indigenous varieties. A key date mentioned is May 1, 2025, when new tariff items for GI-recognized rice were created.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Export Data:**
* Until April 30, 2025, there was no separate HS Code for GI rice varieties, including Kalanamak (except Basmati).
* Since May 1, 2025, new tariff items have been created for rice recognized by the Geographical Indication Registry.
* Prior to this, Kalanamak rice export data was recorded under Non-Basmati rice, with export values provided from 2011-12 to 2024-25.
* **Promotion of Kalanamak Rice:**
* The Department of Commerce, through APEDA, offers financial support to exporters via the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS).
* Kalanamak rice was promoted at events like World Food India, Indus Food, and Gulfood 2024, with subsidized space for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
* A research project was awarded to IRRI-ISARC for grain and nutritional quality profiling of non-basmati rice, including Kalanamak.
* APEDA and the Siddharth Nagar district administration organized a buyer-seller meet in December 2024.
* Since 2022, over ten training and capacity building programs have been conducted for Kalamnamak rice stakeholders.
* **Granting of GI Tags:**
* Granting GI tags is guided by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 and Rules, 2002.
* Products meeting the specified criteria are granted GI status.
Impact Analysis:
* **Exporters:**
* Impact: Can access financial assistance from APEDA for Kalanamak rice export promotion. They now have specific tariff items for GI-recognized rice which will provide more accurate export data.
* Action Required: Review APEDA's FAS scheme guidelines on its website (www.apeda.gov.in) and utilize available resources for market development.
* **Farmers and FPOs:**
* Impact: Benefit from promotional events and capacity building programs. FPOs can showcase Kalanamak rice to international buyers through subsidized exhibition space.
* Action Required: Participate in training programs and promotional events to enhance production and market access.
* **Consumers (International):**
* Impact: Increased availability and awareness of Kalanamak rice in the international market due to promotional activities.
* Action Required: No specific action required.
* **Government (Department of Commerce & APEDA):**
* Impact: Responsible for implementing promotional schemes and ensuring compliance with GI regulations.
* Action Required: Continue to provide financial and logistical support for Kalanamak rice promotion and ensure the integrity of the GI tag.
Key Entities Referenced
Kalanamak rice: A variety of rice with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, known for its unique aroma and flavor.
Geographical Indication: A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Customs Tariff Act, 1975: An act of the Parliament of India to provide for the imposition and collection of customs duties.
DGCIS: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics. Source of the export data provided in the document.
APEDA: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. An organization responsible for export promotion of scheduled products.
Financial Assistance Scheme FAS: A scheme by APEDA to provide financial support to its member exporters for export promotion.
Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh: A district in Uttar Pradesh, India, where significant activity related to Kalanamak rice promotion and training has taken place.
Geographical Indications of Goods Registration Protection Act, 1999: The act governing the granting of GI tags in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2744
ANSWERED ON 05/08/2025
EXPORTS OF KALANAMAK RICE
2744. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of the exports of Kalanamak rice since the declaration of Geographical
Indication (GI) tag in 2012;
(b) the steps taken by the Government to promote Kalanamak rice in the international
market; and
(c) whether the Government is considering granting GI tags to other indigenous cereal,
pulse or grain varieties, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) In India, the products are classified into tariff items at 8-digit, notified under the Customs
Tariff Act, 1975. There was no separate HS Code for other GI varieties of Rice, including
Kalanamak rice, till 30th April 2025, except for basmati rice. With effect from 1st May 2025,
Government has created new tariff items for rice recognised by the Geographical Indication
Registry. Accordingly, there is no separate export data for Kalanamak rice, as its export was
recorded under Non-Basmati rice. The export data for non-basmati rice from 2012 is as
below:
Year Export value (US$ Million)
2011-12 1806.03
2012-13 2651.97
2013-14 2917.76
2014-15 3334.71
2015-16 2368.64
2016-17 2531.47
2017-18 3564.39
2018-19 3047.83
2019-20 2014.60
12020-21 4799.91
2021-22 6124.27
2022-23 6355.74
2023-24 4570.06
2024-25 6527.69
Source: DGCIS
(b) The Department of Commerce through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority (APEDA) provides financial support to its member exporters
for export promotion of its Scheduled products, including Kalanamak rice, through its
Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). The scheme has three components viz., Development
of Export Infrastructure, Quality Development and Market Development. The scheme
guidelines are available at APEDA’s website www.apeda.gov.in under the “Scheme” tab.
In addition to the above, following steps have been taken for the promotion of exports of
Kalanamak rice:
i. Promotion of Kalanamak rice, by showcasing in World Food India, Indus Food and
Gulfood 2024 in Dubai. In these events, subsidized exhibition space was also provided
to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) enabling them to showcase Kalanamak rice
and connect with international buyers.
ii. Research project has been awarded to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) for comprehensive grain and nutritional quality
profiling of non-basmati rice varieties across India including Kalanamak rice, and for
developing value-added products from rice and rice based food systems.
iii. APEDA in association with district administration of Siddharth Nagar organized a
buyer-seller meet on 22nd to 23rd December, 2024 at Siddharth Nagar. This event
involved the participation of farmers, FPOs, leading exporters and exporter
associations.
iv. Since 2022, around ten training and capacity building programmes for the
stakeholders of Kalamnamak rice have been conducted in Siddharth Nagar, covering
more than 6000 participants.
(c) Granting GI tag to a product is guided by Geographical Indications of Goods
(Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 and Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration &
Protection) Rules, 2002. Accordingly, product found eligible as per the specified criteria under
above mentioned Act and Rules is granted status as a Geographical Indication.
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