The initiative aims to popularize the rice globally and boost export opportunities, providing better remuneration for farmers in the state
KRC TIMES Manipur Bureau
Imphal: The Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur, will play a prominent role at the inaugural Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC), scheduled for October 30–31, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The conference aims to position India as a leader in the global rice supply chain.
Organized by the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) in collaboration with APEDA, the event will bring together over 1,000 international buyers from more than 80 countries, 3,000 farmer organizations, and 2,500 exporters, millers, and allied industry representatives. Manipur will be represented by four Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), two entrepreneurs, and senior officers from the Agriculture Department.
A key highlight will be the culinary showcase of Manipur’s famous Chakhao Black Rice and Chakhao White Rice, with Japanese, Korean, and Chinese delicacies prepared using these varieties. The initiative aims to popularize the rice globally and boost export opportunities, providing better remuneration for farmers in the state.
In a major step toward promoting exports, the Department of Agriculture, Manipur, is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with APEDA for a trial export of 20 metric tonnes of Chakhao White Rice to Japan between November and December 2025.
Looking ahead, the department is actively working to expand the cultivation of both black and white Chakhao rice from the Kharif 2026 season onwards. Areas suitable for double paddy cropping will receive priority, with farmers offered subsidized inputs and support through hi-tech mills designed to minimize post-harvest losses. Close coordination with APEDA will ensure that farmers benefit from better prices through export markets.
The department has advised local farmers, particularly those practicing double paddy cropping, to cultivate black and white Chakhao rice to take advantage of these incentives. With international demand rising, these rice varieties are expected to offer significantly higher income for the state’s farmers.
