Indian Economy News

Union Minister Mr. Jitin Prasada Lays Foundation Stone for BEDF Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Mr. Jitin Prasada presided over the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the BEDF Basmati and Organic Training Centre cum Demonstration Farm at Tanda Bijeshi, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, a joint project of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF). The centre will provide practical demonstrations and technical support to farmers, covering notified Basmati varieties, insect-pest and disease management, organic cultivation, Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Nutrient Management practices. Mr. Jitin Prasada said the centre would provide farmers with better access to training, quality seeds and organic inputs, while creating stronger linkages with export markets, and highlighted Pilibhit's significant potential as a major Basmati-producing region. Chairman, APEDA, Mr. Abhishek Dev, said the centre would give farmers access to improved seeds, quality standards, testing facilities and export procedures.

The facility will support the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Programme through national Basmati trials, alongside a dedicated Seed Multiplication Centre for breeder, foundation and certified seed production. It will offer training in seed production, capacity building for Farmer Producer Organisations and startups, and technical support for organic certification with assistance from the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming. Minister of Agriculture, Agriculture Education and Research, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Surya Pratap Sahi, was Guest of Honour, with the ceremony attended by approximately 8,000 participants and an exhibition of 23 stalls featuring organisations including BEDF, AIREA, NCOL, NABARD and DGFT.

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