New Delhi [India], September 2 : The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), hosted a workshop on August 29 in New Delhi. The event focused on "Profiling of Potential Varieties of Non-Basmati Rice and Value-Added Rice Products."
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the workshop highlighted findings from two key research projects: "Comprehensive Grain and Nutritional Quality Profiling of Non-Basmati Rice," which aimed to identify high-quality, nutrient-rich, low glycaemic index (GI) rice varieties with geographical indication (GI) tags from various Indian states, and "Value-Added Products from Rice and Rice-Based Food Systems," a project focused on developing innovative and healthier rice-based products such as nutrient-dense rice muesli, whole grain rice cookies, popped rice, rice flakes, and instant upma.
These pivotal projects, supported by APEDA, are being conducted at the Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition lab at IRRI's South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi.
During the workshop, IRRI presented profiles of potential non-basmati rice varieties from across India and showcased value-added products with strong global market potential.
In his keynote address, Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce, praised the collaborative efforts of APEDA and IRRI, highlighting the significant export potential and health benefits of the identified non-basmati rice varieties, including their low glycaemic index and climate resilience. He also emphasised the importance of value addition and branding to enhance the marketability of these rice varieties.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev provided insights into the crucial role of the rice industry in India, the need for value addition, and the importance of research to improve sustainability and global competitiveness. He stressed the importance of collective efforts to boost rice exports and benefit stakeholders across the value chain, highlighting the need for strategies to increase exports of rice and rice-based products.
He stated, "These projects not only respond to the growing demand for healthier food options but also capitalise on traditional rice varieties to create value-added products."
Building on the success of APEDA's initiatives, strategic collaboration with stakeholders and focused marketing efforts will be crucial in expanding both domestic and international market reach. This approach will contribute to a premium economy and enhance export potential within the non-basmati rice category. APEDA's support has been instrumental in the success of these projects, enabling ISARC to lead advancements that will shape the future of India's rice industry.
The combined focus on developing low GI rice varieties and nutrient-dense value-added products is poised to boost India's export capabilities and drive significant economic growth in the agricultural and food processing sectors.
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