APEDA Plans Survey of Basmati Cultivation Across 4 Million Hectares

07-May-2026 08:06 PM

New Delhi. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)—a body functioning under the Union Ministry of Commerce—has formulated a plan to conduct a survey of Basmati cultivation across an area of ​​4 million hectares this year.

This figure is nearly double the actual area currently under Basmati cultivation. This plan suggests that the agency may conduct surveys in new regions—specifically those areas where Basmati paddy and rice have not yet been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status. The Government of Madhya Pradesh has repeatedly argued that the paddy produced in several districts of the state falls under the Basmati category; however, APEDA has never acknowledged this claim, and the matter has remained pending in court for a considerable period.

Last week, the Union Minister of State for Commerce launched the country's first AI-based Basmati paddy survey project (2026-27). This ambitious project will be executed by APEDA and is set to cover an area of ​​approximately 4 million hectares. It is noteworthy that, currently, the total area under Basmati paddy cultivation within the officially recognized regions (states) stands at a mere 2.14 million hectares.

Given that APEDA intends to conduct a survey campaign for Basmati across approximately 4 million hectares, it is only natural for such a move to raise questions. Demands have long been raised to grant 'Basmati' recognition to the long-grained, aromatic paddy produced in several other provinces, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

APEDA maintains that only the paddy produced in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and two districts of Jammu & Kashmir holds the official recognition of being authentic Basmati. It appears that, by expanding the scope of the production area, the government is preparing to increase the overall acreage dedicated to this aromatic agricultural product.