India is set to host the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on 30–31 October, 2025. The event is organized by the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) in collaboration with APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, aims to strengthen India’s leadership in the global rice trade. It also seeks to promote sustainability, innovation, and transparency across the rice value chain. The conference is expected to unlock new international markets worth ₹1.80 lakh crore and facilitate export agreements worth ₹25,000 crore during the two-day event.
Showcasing India’s Global Rice Leadership
India remains the world’s largest exporter of rice, supplying the grain to over 172 countries and producing nearly 150 million tonnes annually, which accounts for about 28 percent of global rice output. In the financial year 2024–25, India exported 20.1 million metric tonnes of rice valued at around USD 12.95 billion. The conference will bring together more than 3,000 farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), 1,000 foreign buyers from over 80 countries, and 2,500 exporters, millers, and allied industry representatives. It will serve as a platform to build stronger trade relationships and showcase India’s commitment to quality and sustainability in the global food system.
Expanding Trade and Investment Opportunities
The Bharat International Rice Conference 2025 will act as a major forum to discuss strategies for enhancing India’s role in the global rice market. A Vision and Roadmap document for the rice sector will be launched during the event. This document will outline long term goals for improving productivity, promoting sustainable cultivation, enhancing certification and traceability systems, and supporting fair trade. The roadmap will align with the government’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, emphasizing responsible growth, technology adoption, and environmental conservation in the rice industry.
International and State Participation
The conference will see participation from several international dignitaries, including the Foreign Ministers of the Philippines, Ghana, Namibia, and The Gambia. Indian states such as Telangana, Odisha, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana will exhibit their unique rice varieties, sustainable cultivation practices, and investment potential. This collaborative effort will highlight India’s regional diversity and strengthen the country’s position as a global rice hub.
Celebrating India’s Rice Heritage
A major highlight of BIRC 2025 will be the celebration of India’s vast rice diversity and rich agricultural traditions. The State Pavilion of Meghalaya will feature traditional varieties like Pnah Iong (Black Sticky Rice) and Mynri (Golden Rice of Ri-Bhoi), known for their eco-friendly and rain-fed cultivation methods. The Telangana Pavilion will showcase premium export varieties such as Telangana Sona (RNR 15048) and Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204), representing the state’s remarkable growth in paddy production over the past decade. A special coffee table book will be released to capture India’s rice legacy, including Basmati and non Basmati varieties, geographical indication (GI) stories, and farmer innovations from across the country.
Driving Innovation and Technology
The conference will also highlight technological advancements in rice processing and quality improvement. The AgriTech Pavilion will feature India’s first AI-based rice sorting system, capable of analyzing grain color, shape, size, and structure with great precision. This innovation promises to reduce power consumption, manpower, and operational costs while enhancing sorting accuracy and product quality. In addition, a Women Entrepreneur, Startup, and MSME Pavilion will display innovations in areas such as seed development, post-harvest technologies, packaging, branding, digital traceability using QR and blockchain systems, and e-marketplace solutions. This initiative aims to encourage greater participation of women and startups in the agricultural sector.
Promoting Sustainable and Climate Smart Practices
To promote sustainable and climate-smart rice cultivation, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) will conduct farmer training sessions during the conference. These sessions will focus on good agricultural practices (GAPs), water-efficient farming, and soil health management to increase productivity while reducing the environmental impact of rice cultivation. A major milestone of the event will be the signing of an agreement to establish an Incubation and Agricultural Research Centre in New Delhi. This centre will promote research on sustainable and climate-resilient rice varieties, helping India prepare for future challenges in food security.
Empowering Farmers and Strengthening Cooperatives
Reinforcing the role of cooperatives in value addition, Bharat Organics an initiative under the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) will launch its new range of organic rice products and a direct-to-consumer platform. The range will feature both traditional and single-origin varieties such as Kala Namak from Uttar Pradesh, Gobindobhog from West Bengal, Black Rice from Manipur, and Red Matta from Kerala. This effort aims to connect small farmers directly with global consumers, ensuring fair trade and better income opportunities while promoting organic, chemical free cultivation.
Global Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
The IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (IRRI-SARC) in Varanasi will serve as the research partner for the event, while E&Y and S&P Global will act as knowledge partners. The participating countries include the Philippines, Myanmar, Niger, Comoros, Jordan, Liberia, The Gambia, and Somalia. These collaborations are expected to strengthen global partnerships and share research insights to address common challenges in the rice sector.
A Step Towards Global Food Security
Rice is the staple food for more than four billion people and provides livelihoods to about 150 million farmers worldwide. As rice production becomes more resource intensive, BIRC 2025 will focus on innovations in agronomy, irrigation, certification, and traceability to make the sector more sustainable. By hosting this global event, India aims to reinforce its role as a reliable and responsible leader in ensuring global food security through sustainable and inclusive growth in the rice industry.
Date : 2 November 2025
Time : 10 AM to 5 PM
Fee : Rs. 1180
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