The govt has approved a new Basmati training centre in Pilibhit to boost organic farming and export quality via AI
PILIBHIT
The Indian government has officially approved a 70-year lease to establish the nation’s first integrated Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Uttar Pradesh.
Located on a seven-acre plot in Tanda Bijaisi, Pilibhit, this landmark facility aims to revolutionize how farmers in UP and Uttarakhand cultivate India’s most famous export grain.
The new center will serve as a modern hub for agricultural excellence, featuring a high-tech auditorium, a dedicated Basmati museum, and advanced laboratories. Beyond training, the site has been designated as a national research center for testing new rice varieties. This move makes Pilibhit a critical player in India’s “Basmati GI zone,” helping local farmers adopt both traditional and organic methods to meet growing global demand.
In a simultaneous tech-forward move, Union Minister Jitin Prasada unveiled India’s first AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey. This ambitious project will use artificial intelligence to monitor nearly four million hectares of farmland, engaging over five lakh farmers to ensure precise crop assessment and better export planning. The goal is to provide scientific advice directly to the fields, ensuring Indian rice remains a premium product worldwide.
Basmati rice continues to be a “gold mine” for Indian exports, with recent figures reaching a staggering $5.67 billion. By combining a seven-decade commitment to land with 21st-century AI technology, the government is ensuring that local farmers stay competitive in markets across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. For the growers of Pilibhit, the future of farming is looking both organic and incredibly smart.