APEDA to establish Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit.

A Major Push for High-Value Agriculture

Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority is setting up a basmati and organic training centre and demonstrating farm in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.The project has been advanced following the purchase of 7 acres of land in government agriculture farm in Tanda Bijesi village. The project is expected to be developed with a ₹15 crore investment, focusing on enhancing the production of premium basmati, supporting organic production, and improving farmers in terms of their export preparedness.

Target Basmati and Organic Farming.

The specialised training that will be offered at the centre will include:

• Best basmati rice farming practices.
• Production and quality improvement of seeds.
• Organic farming practices
• Export compliance and standards.

The project will boost the income of farmers and establish an enhanced market to the rest of the world by encouraging high-value crops. It will not only benefit farmers in Pilibhit but also farmers in other neighbouring districts and states.

Technology Integration Through AI-Based Surveys

One of the main aspects of the project is artificial intelligence used in satellite-based crop mapping . This system will:

• Determine basmati farms.
• Differentiate among varieties of basmati.
• Give proper estimates of production.

This technology will enhance better quality control by ensuring that policy planning, export forecasting and traceability in the supply chain is better, as Jitin Prasada claims.
 

Modern Infrastructure and Facilities

As pointed out by Abhishek Dev, the centre will comprise:

• A special seed production facility.
• A training programme auditorium.
• A museum displaying 45 varieties of basmati that are notified.
• A laboratory that is accredited by an National Accreditation Board of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.

DNA, pesticide residues and heavy metals will be tested in the lab and will comply with the stringent international food safety standards.
It will be based on Basmati Export Development Foundation, with the centre being the second of its kind in Uttar Pradesh after Meerut.

Regional and National Importance

The project is a larger initiative to modernise agricultural export system in India. By 2025-26, BEDF will have a goal of training more than 50,000 farmers in seven states that produce basmati.
The Pilibhit centre will be a regional centre of the farmers in:

• Uttar Pradesh
• Uttarakhand
• Delhi

Through training and research, as well as technology, the project should enhance the role of India in the export of basmati globally and sustainable farming.