Union Minister Jitin Prasada Lays Foundation Stone for Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit
To strengthen India's agricultural export ecosystem and empower paddy growers, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Shri Jitin Prasada presided over the foundation stone laying ceremony of the BEDF Basmati and Organic Training Centre cum Demonstration Farm in Tanda Bijeshi, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, on September 9, 2026. The infrastructure project is a joint initiative developed by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF).
Pilibhit and surrounding districts in northern Uttar Pradesh are recognized as prominent Basmati-producing belts with immense potential for high-value agricultural exports. The newly established facility will serve as a technical hub offering specialized demonstrations on notified Basmati rice varieties, integrated pest management, organic farming inputs, and soil nutrient management. It aims to bridge the gap between rural production standards and stringent international trade quality norms.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Jitin Prasada highlighted that the centre will provide farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with direct access to certified seeds, quality testing facilities, modern packaging solutions, and export handholding. APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev noted that Uttar Pradesh ranks among the top states in organic farming, and the new demonstration farm will enable local cultivators to adopt sustainable practices, reduce chemical residues, and secure premium pricing in global commodity markets.
