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India’s First Basmati Organic Training Centre Gets 70-Year Lease in UP

The Indian government has finalized a 70-year lease for a Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, to be developed on seven acres. The centre will feature an auditorium, museum, lab, and storage, and will serve as the country's first Basmati organic training farm. Additionally, Union Minister Jitin Prasada launched an AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey project covering 4 million hectares to improve crop assessment and export planning. Basmati exports, a GI product, reached $5.67 billion in 2025-26, with strong market presence globally.

Key Points: India's First Basmati Organic Training Centre in UP

  • 70-year lease finalized for Basmati organic training centre in Pilibhit, UP
  • Centre to include auditorium, museum, lab, and storage for organic inputs
  • First Basmati organic training farm covering conventional and organic cultivation
  • AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey project unveiled to cover 4 million hectares and engage 5 lakh farmers
2 min read

Govt finalises 70‑year lease for Basmati organic farming training centre in UP

India finalizes a 70-year lease for its first Basmati organic training centre in Pilibhit, UP, to boost organic farming, farmer training, and exports.

"The centre will be the country's first Basmati organic training and demonstration farm covering both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation. - Official Statement"

New Delhi, April 30

A 70‑year lease has been formalised to transfer land for a Basmati and Organic Training Centre‑cum‑Demo Farm at Tanda Bijaisi in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, to be developed over approximately seven acres, the government said on Thursday.

The centre will be equipped with facilities including an auditorium, museum and gallery on Basmati and organic farming, conference room, laboratory and storage space for organic farming inputs, an official statement said.

The facility is expected to support training and capacity building for Basmati and organic farmers, and also serve as a resource centre for agricultural experts and students.

It will be the country's first Basmati organic training and demonstration farm covering both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation. Owing to its location, the centre is expected to benefit farmers and stakeholders in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The centre has been designated an All India Coordinated Research Projects centre for national‑level Basmati trials, making Pilibhit the third AICRP centre in Uttar Pradesh's Basmati GI zone.

This will facilitate systematic testing and evaluation of new Basmati varieties suited to the region's agro-climatic conditions.

Further, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada unveiled India's first AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey project (2026-2028), to be implemented by APEDA in collaboration with the All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA).

The project will cover nearly 4 million hectares, collect data from over 1.5 lakh ground-truth points and engage with over 5 lakh farmers.

It aims to support precise crop assessment, varietal identification, scientific advisory services and improved export planning, the statement from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said.

Basmati exports, a Geographical Indication (GI) product of India, were valued at $5.67 billion in 2025-26, with volumes around 6.5 million metric tonnes.

The sector continues to contribute significantly to India's agricultural exports, with a strong presence in markets across the Middle East, Europe and North America.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
70-year lease sounds good but I hope the training is actually accessible to small and marginal farmers in the region, not just big landowners. Organic farming needs more practical support at the grassroots level — hope this centre doesn't just become a fancy building with no real outreach.
J
James A
$5.67 billion in exports... that's impressive for Basmati. I buy it regularly in the US — nothing beats the aroma of good Indian Basmati rice. This centre seems like a smart investment in maintaining quality and expanding market reach. Keep it up India!
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Ravi K
Great initiative for Pilibhit — could boost the local economy if done right. But I wonder how many farmers will actually benefit from a centre that's basically a research hub? We need more ground-level training with subsidies for organic inputs. Hope APEDA and AIREA don't keep it all top-down.
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Sarah B
As a foodie who loves Indian cuisine, I'm delighted to see investment in organic Basmati farming. The AI survey covering 4 million hectares sounds ambitious — hope it leads to better traceability and quality control. Makes me trust the product more when I buy it abroad!
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Ananya R
A museum and gallery for Basmati? That's actually nice — we need to preserve our agricultural heritage. But what about the water-intensive nature of paddy farming? Organic Basmati is great but we must also train farmers on sustainable water management. Every drop counts in UP's groundwater situation.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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