Introduction
India is preparing for a defining moment in its agri-export journey. The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025, to be held on 30-31 October 2025, signals a strategic shift in how the country views its role in global food systems.
Aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, the Bharat International Rice Conference 2025 will convene stakeholders across production, trade, policy, and research to enhance transparency and efficiency in the global rice market. The participation of foreign ministers from the Philippines, Ghana, Namibia, and The Gambia reflects India’s intent to engage more actively in global agri-trade governance.
The conference marks not just a trade opportunity but a wake-up call for the rice ecosystem - a reminder that global leadership requires speed, coordination, and sustained innovation.
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Current Status & Opportunity for Indian Rice Exports
India stands today as one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of rice, supplying to over 172 countries. Here are certain data figures to support the claim:
(Data Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), PRID 2182209)
(Image: DhruvStar Industry Insights | Original Artwork)
The Bharat International Rice Conference 2025 is projected to unlock ₹1.80 lakh crore in new import markets and formalise ₹25,000 crore in export MoUs, positioning India to strengthen its integration within global agri-trade value chains.
Organised by the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) in collaboration with APEDA, and supported by several central ministries, state governments, and cooperatives, reflects a whole-of-ecosystem approach. With participation from over 3,000 farmers, 1,000 foreign buyers from 80+ countries, and 2,500 exporters and millers, it stands as a flagship platform for India’s agricultural trade engagement.
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Structural Imperatives
BIRC 2025 will serve as a launchpad for a Vision and Roadmap for the rice sector, developed through consultations with policymakers, industry leaders, and research institutions. The initiative will be coordinated by the Department of Commerce in partnership with APEDA, IREF, ICAR, IRRI, cooperative bodies, and participating state governments.
Eight technical sessions will focus on sustainability, certification, traceability, and innovation, while addressing resource efficiency in rice cultivation, which uses nearly 24-30% of global irrigation water across 167 million hectares.
A key highlight of BIRC 2025 will be the launch of India’s first AI-based rice sorting technology, enhancing precision and efficiency in processing. Complementing this, the AgriTech, Women Entrepreneur, Startup & MSME, and State Pavilions will showcase innovations spanning seed development, post-harvest systems, packaging, branding, and blockchain-based traceability.
From Meghalaya’s indigenous varieties like Pnah Iong and Mynri to Telangana’s export-oriented cultivars such as Telangana Sona and Samba Mahsuri, the event will showcase India’s growing diversity in GI and speciality rice. In parallel, Bharat Organics (NCOL) will launch its Organic Rice Range, featuring single-origin and traditional basmati varieties to strengthen farmer incomes and sustainable cultivation.
Together, these initiatives reflect the structural transformation underway in India’s rice sector - one that links technology, sustainability, and market expansion into a unified national strategy.
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Time-Risk: Why Waiting Isn’t an Option
India’s rice sector stands at a crossroads of scale and urgency. With production gains, global demand shifts, and sustainability pressures converging, the window for structural advantage is narrowing:
- Investment: Competitor nations are rapidly investing in premiumisation, climate-resilient varieties, and digital traceability, while global buyers increasingly prefer sustainably certified and verifiable sources. India needs to integrate these standards across its export ecosystem to sustain leadership.
- Branding: Branding, GI protection, and post-harvest innovation must now evolve at the same pace as production.
- Technology: Accelerated adoption of AI-based quality systems, blockchain traceability, and climate-smart agronomy is essential to maintain India’s global edge.
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- Focus on Value, Not Volume: Exporters must move beyond price competitiveness to value-led exports through branding, GI protection, and traceable quality.
- Adopt Verified Standards: Integrating sustainability and certification protocols early will secure access to high-value, compliance-driven global markets.
- Invest in Processing Intelligence: Food processors should leverage AI and digital traceability to meet buyer expectations and reduce post-harvest losses.
Sources
[1] PIB
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