In a significant move to bolster the production and export of high-quality basmati rice, the Uttar Pradesh government has granted final approval for allotting land to a premier agricultural export body in Pilibhit district.
Land Allotment Details and Lease Terms
The State Agriculture Department has sanctioned the allocation of 7 acres of land from the 66.7-acre government agriculture farm located in Tanda Bijesi village, Pilibhit. This land will be handed over to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The principal secretary of agriculture, Agricultural Research and Export Promotion, Ravinder Kumar, formalized this decision through an official letter directed to the state's agriculture director.
According to UP's joint director of agriculture, AK Singh, the land will be initially leased for a period of 30 years, with a provision to extend the lease for an additional 40 years. The financial terms are highly concessional, with the state government charging a nominal lease rent of Rs 10 per year and a one-time concessional premium of Rs 100 per acre. Upon the expiry of the lease period, the land must be returned to the state government in an encumbrance-free condition. The lease deed will be jointly signed by the District Agriculture Officer of Pilibhit and the General Manager of APEDA.
Project Scope and Infrastructure
The project, to be overseen by the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF), is designed as a comprehensive facility. It will not be just a processing unit but a full-fledged centre for research, training, and quality assurance. The planned infrastructure includes:
- A dedicated Basmati research centre.
- A high-quality seed production unit.
- A world-class laboratory accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
This advanced lab will be crucial for conducting essential tests for Basmati DNA, pesticide residues, and heavy metals in the produce. The primary objective is to ensure that the basmati rice meets stringent global export standards, thereby enhancing its international marketability.
Impact on Farmers and Production
Dr. Ritesh Sharma, Joint Director of BEDF, elaborated on the project's seed production component. The facility will focus on producing the entire spectrum of certified seeds, including nucleus, breeder, foundation, and certified seeds of Basmati. A core part of the mission is to train local farmers in the production and processing techniques for all these four seed types.
This initiative is strategically targeted at increasing the output of globally recognized, premium-quality Basmati rice not only in Pilibhit but also across other districts in the region. By integrating seed processing, farmer education, and rigorous quality testing under one roof, the project aims to create a sustainable ecosystem that elevates the entire basmati value chain in Uttar Pradesh.
