The Indian Rice Exporter’s Federation (IREF) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for the Basmati crop survey scheduled for 2026. In a letter addressed to APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, IREF emphasized that this partnership could be framed as a strategic public-private collaboration aimed at enhancing production forecasting, export planning, farmer engagement, and ensuring the global credibility of Indian Basmati rice.
As reported by businessline on May 6, APEDA is set to implement an AI-based survey project that will encompass approximately 4 million hectares for Basmati paddy, despite the fact that the crop is currently cultivated on only 2.14 million hectares, according to APEDA’s 2023 data. This initiative has sparked significant debate over the potential expansion of the current geographical indication (GI) zone for Basmati rice, a proposal that is contentious, particularly given that the legal status of Madhya Pradesh’s inclusion is still under judicial consideration. Moreover, APEDA has engaged only one other industry organization, the All India Rice Exporters Association, for collaboration on the survey.
IREF’s Director General Vinod Kumar Kaul highlighted in his letter that APEDA had previously conducted annual Basmati crop surveys through its Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) using various methodologies, including satellite imagery and crop health assessments. However, he noted that these surveys had not been conducted since 2023. Kaul recommended the resumption of the Basmati Crop survey, underscoring its significance for exporters in making informed business decisions concerning crop conditions.
The proposed collaboration for the 2026 survey includes two segments: the GI regions and other states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, known also for Basmati production. IREF’s extensive network of exporters, millers, and industry stakeholders across Basmati-growing regions, such as Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir, could facilitate coordination between survey teams and farming communities, Kaul stated.
IREF is also prepared to assist in disseminating survey-related information among stakeholders, validating findings with local industry insights, and sharing trends regarding export markets and varietal demands in key international areas. Furthermore, the industry body has indicated its willingness to engage in technical consultations and stakeholder review meetings as deemed appropriate by APEDA, proposing that such institutional collaboration would enhance the survey’s accuracy, outreach, and overall effectiveness, ultimately strengthening the Basmati value chain.
Published on May 14, 2026.
