Consideration Underway for Establishing a Basmati Promotion Board, Modeled on Other Commodities

19-May-2026 12:05 PM

New Delhi: Several commodity-specific boards are already operational under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Commerce. Now, following this same model, a proposal to establish a 'Basmati Development Board' for premium-quality rice is currently under consideration. In fact, the formation of this board is being demanded by India's two apex organizations representing rice exporters.

These organizations have urged the Prime Minister and the Union Minister of Cooperation to constitute a fully empowered and statutory Basmati Promotion Board—one that operates independently of the control of the Ministry of Commerce's subordinate body, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

It is understood that both the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) and the Punjab Rice Millers Exporters Association are in favor of establishing this Basmati Promotion Board. This issue was raised during a meeting organized recently by the BKS (Bharatiya Kisan Sangh), which was attended by top office-bearers of these organizations,

along with farmers' representatives, numerous agricultural experts, and industry analysts. The BKS has urged the Union Minister of Commerce to constitute a separate Basmati Development Board. A similar request has also been submitted to the Prime Minister's Office.

According to informed sources, the economic benefits derived from Basmati rice are not reaching the paddy-growing farmers in an equitable manner, consequently weakening their financial position. Farmers' incomes are declining because the market price of Basmati paddy remains stagnant within a fixed range.

Furthermore, the rising cost of production has exacerbated the concerns of the farming community. Although Basmati holds Geographical Indication (GI) status, the farmers themselves are currently deriving no benefit from this designation.