BIRC 2025 opens up new avenues for India’s rice exports, say farmers and FPO members

many were GI varieties. The two-day mega rice conference was inaugurated and led by the farmers, reflective of their great importance in India’s agricultural ecosystem. BIRC 2025, held on October 30-31, saw participation of over 5,000 farmers, over 3,500 exporters and millers, and international buyers. All stakeholder departments came together to showcase Indian rice to the world. Over 1,000 varieties of Indian rice were showcased — each representing the growing ambition of India’s farmers to take their heritage grains global. Ajay Kumar Singh, Director at Farmers Producer Organisation (FPI), said, “We have adamchini GI rice. We got to know that a big rice conference is happening at the Bharat Mandapa. After coming here, we are looking at avenues to export our rice. We have met several rice buyers at BIRC 2025, and they have collected our (phone) numbers.” He added that his rice is now marketed only in Varanasi and other eastern Uttar Pradesh districts, but with this BIRC 2025, “I ...