Top Rice News Today: Prices, Nepal Imports & Climate Resilient Farming

Top rice news today covers how Tripura CPI(M) opposes an alleged ration rice quota cut amid rising prices of essential commodities. Moreover, Nepal imported rice and paddy worth Rs 1.78 billion in one month, including Basmati rice and unmilled paddy mainly from India. At the same time, Odisha is seeking stronger collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute for climate-resilient rice farming, advanced technologies and improved rice varieties to boost productivity, sustainability and farmer incomes amid changing weather conditions.

Tripura CPI(M) Opposes Alleged Ration Rice Quota Cut, Demands Rollback

Tripura CPI(M) has opposed an alleged reduction in the quantity of rice distributed through ration shops and has called the move inhuman. Not only that, but it has demanded its immediate rollback. The party claims the existing entitlement of 5 kg of rice per person has been capped at 20 kg per family, irrespective of family size. Moreover, the CPI(M) says the move could increase the financial burden on larger households, especially as prices of essential commodities are rising. The party also stated that prices of rice, masur dal, sugar, mustard oil and spices have risen over recent months. In addition, it criticised the Centre and the BJP-led Tripura government for allegedly failing to control prices and appealed for effective measures to ease the pressure on consumers. The party has called for public pressure and protests against the alleged quota reduction.

Why Does Nepal Import Rice and Paddy Worth Rs 1.8 Billion in Just One Month?

According to Department of Customs data, Nepal has done paddy and rice imports worth Rs 1.78 billion in the first month of the current fiscal year 2082/83. The country imported 24,939 tonnes of rice and paddy during Shrawan, although both import volume and spending were lower than the same period last year. Notably, rice accounted for the largest share, with 11,852 tonnes worth Rs 833.32 million imported, almost entirely from India. Besides this, Nepal also imported 4,125 tonnes of Basmati rice worth Rs 568.59 million, all sourced from India. Another 8,628 tonnes of unmilled paddy, valued at Rs 365.02 million, was imported entirely from India. The figures outlined Nepal’s continued reliance on India for major rice and paddy supplies, even as overall imports have reduced compared with the previous fiscal year.

Odisha Pushes Stronger IRRI Partnership for Climate-Resilient Rice Farming

Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has sought stronger collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to promote climate-resilient rice farming. During his visit to IRRI’s South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi, he reviewed technologies aimed at enhancing farm productivity, efficiency and sustainability. These included direct-seeded rice, mechanisation, drone technology, speed breeding and regenerative agriculture. Moreover, the minister also explored rice varieties and short-duration crops suited to farmers’ needs, particularly amid the state’s current flood situation. IRRI noted its long-standing partnership with Odisha and its focus on rice-based farming systems and improving livelihoods for small farmers. The Odisha government said deeper collaboration could help in introducing the advanced agricultural technologies, boost climate resilience and improve farmers’ incomes