India's first Basmati organic training farm gets 70-year lease in Pilibhit, UP
Synopsis
India has formalised a 70-year lease for its first-ever Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit, UP — a seven-acre facility that will also serve as an AICRP national research hub. Alongside, the government has launched an AI-powered Basmati survey covering 4 million hectares, signalling a serious push to modernise a $5.67 billion export sector.
Key Takeaways
A 70-year lease has been formalised for a Basmati and Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm at Tanda Bijaisi, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh .
The facility spans approximately seven acres and is India's first centre covering both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation.
Pilibhit becomes the third AICRP centre in UP's Basmati GI zone, enabling national-level variety trials.
Union Minister Jitin Prasada launched India's first AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey (2026–2028) , covering 4 million hectares and over 5 lakh farmers .
India's Basmati exports stood at $5.67 billion in 2025–26 , with volumes of approximately 6.5 million metric tonnes .
The Indian government has formalised a 70-year lease to transfer approximately seven acres of land at Tanda Bijaisi in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, for the development of the country's first Basmati and Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm, according to an official statement released on Thursday, 30 April 2025. The facility will serve as a dedicated hub for Basmati and organic farming training, capacity building, and research.
What the Centre Will Offer
The proposed facility will be equipped with an auditorium, a museum and gallery focused on Basmati and organic farming, a conference room, a laboratory, and storage space for organic farming inputs. It is designed to support training for Basmati and organic farmers while also functioning as a resource centre for agricultural experts and students.
Notably, this will be India's first centre to cover both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation under one roof. Given its geographical location, the centre is expected to directly benefit farmers and stakeholders across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
National Research Significance
The centre has been designated an All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) centre for national-level Basmati trials, making Pilibhit the third AICRP centre within Uttar Pradesh's Basmati GI zone. This designation will facilitate systematic testing and evaluation of new Basmati varieties suited to the region's specific agro-climatic conditions — a critical step in maintaining the quality and authenticity of a crop that carries India's Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
India's First AI-Based Basmati Paddy Survey Launched
In a parallel development, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, unveiled India's first AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey project (2026–2028). The project will be implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with the All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA).
The survey will cover nearly 4 million hectares, collect data from over 1.5 lakh ground-truth points, and engage with more than 5 lakh farmers. Its objectives include precise crop assessment, varietal identification, scientific advisory services, and improved export planning — all aimed at strengthening India's competitive position in global Basmati markets.
Basmati Exports: A $5.67 Billion Sector
India's Basmati exports were valued at $5.67 billion in 2025–26, with volumes touching approximately 6.5 million metric tonnes, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The sector commands a strong presence in markets across the Middle East, Europe, and North America, and remains one of India's most significant agricultural export commodities.
This comes amid growing global demand for premium and organic rice varieties, where India's GI-protected Basmati holds a structural advantage. The new training centre and AI survey initiative together represent a policy push to modernise the Basmati value chain — from field-level cultivation to export readiness — with Pilibhit poised to become a national centre of excellence for the crop.
Point of View
The absence of a national demonstration and research hub was a structural gap. The AI-based paddy survey is equally significant: if it delivers reliable acreage and varietal data, it could finally give exporters and policymakers a real-time picture of supply — something the sector has long operated without. The test will be in execution: APEDA's past digital initiatives have often stalled between announcement and ground-level adoption.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Basmati and Organic Training Centre being set up in Pilibhit?
It is India's first Basmati and Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm, to be developed on approximately seven acres at Tanda Bijaisi in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, under a 70-year lease. The centre will cover both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation and include an auditorium, museum, laboratory, and storage facilities.
Why is the Pilibhit centre significant for Basmati farming?
Pilibhit now becomes the third AICRP centre within Uttar Pradesh's Basmati GI zone, enabling national-level testing of new Basmati varieties suited to the region's agro-climatic conditions. The centre is also the first in India to integrate organic and conventional Basmati training under one facility.
What is the AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey launched by the government?
The AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey (2026–2028) is an APEDA initiative in collaboration with the All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA), covering nearly 4 million hectares and engaging over 5 lakh farmers. It aims to enable precise crop assessment, varietal identification, and improved export planning.
How large are India's Basmati exports?
India's Basmati exports were valued at $5.67 billion in 2025–26, with volumes of approximately 6.5 million metric tonnes. Key markets include the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Which states will benefit from the new Basmati training centre in Pilibhit?
Due to its geographical location, the centre is expected to benefit farmers and agricultural stakeholders in both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, two of India's primary Basmati-growing states.
