From Punjab’s AI Grain Testing to Bulog’s Rice Export Plans: Here Are Some Top Rice News Of The Day
Punjab Rice Industry Asked For The Reintroduction Of AI-based grain Testing
The Punjab Rice Industry has asked for the reintroduction of AI-based automatic grain Analysers (AGAS) at Food Corporation of India (FCI) Depots, stating that it erases human bias. Even though the technology was employed at all significant rice acceptance centres last year to screen damaged or sprouted grains, it was discontinued, and manual checking resumed.
Tamil Govt. Starts Distributing Pongal Gift: Rs 3000 Cash, Rice, Sugar and More
On Thursday, January 8, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin rolled out the distribution of a Rs. 3000 pongal cash gift along with a special festival package for ration cardholders of rice category. It marks simultaneous rollout of cash assistance and gift hampers through fair price shops in the state. Notably, this initiative is intended to help people celebrate the mid-January harvest festival of Pongal lavishly, the chief minister stated. He distributed the benefits at a fair price shop in alandur, where ha handed over Rs. 3,000 in cash along with 1 kg of raw rice, 1 kg of sugar, a sugarcane, a dhoti and a saree to select beneficiaries.
Rice Millers Withdraw Strike
The All Odisha Rice Millers’ Association withdrew their protest on Thursday and cooperated with the state government in the paddy procurement from Farmers. Notably, the association has been on strike since Monday, leading to disruption in the paddy procurement process, an official stated. The association has been asking for an increase in milling charges, revision of transportation rates for paddy and rice and enhanced custody and maintenance levies for the grain stored in their godowns.
Indonesia’s Bulog is set rice exports and Corn exports in 2026
Indonesia is all set to rice exports and corn exports in 2026, following by directive from President Prabowo Subianto. State-owned logistics agency Bulog will look after the exports in coordination with the police. The move is triggered by strong corn production, along with Indonesia recording a surplus of 463,900 tons in 2025- an increase of 23.2 % from 2023. Corn output rose 6.44 % year-on-year in 2025, allowing exports after shipments of over 21,000 tons in 2025 and planned additional volumes. The government observes surplus as a key opportunity to boost agricultural exports.
Rice Prices On Surge In Indonesia Despite Claims Of Self-Sufficiency
According to CORE Indonesia researcher Eliza Mardian, increasing paddy prices in Indonesia are triggering a spike in rice prices despite the country achieving rice self-sufficiency by the end of 2025. Higher GKP prices have lifted production costs, benefiting farmers but hurting lower-income consumers. She requests bulog to strengthen market operations and release rice stocks, as official data shows rice prices increased across all levels in December 2025.