From Post-Harvest Model to Japan Farm Minister’s Rice Gaffe: Today’s Top Rice News

February 5, 2026

By Megha Bajaj

Karnataka To Launch Post-Harvest Model For Rice

The Karnataka government is introducing a first-of-its-kind post-harvest model and value-addition model intended at enhancing farmer incomes by moving beyond cultivation-centric agriculture. He announced this initiative on Wednesday and stated that the post-harvest model focuses on the processing, branding, packaging, and marketing of produce, allowing farmers to earn four to five times the income and decrease their dependence on middlemen. Speaking at Agriculture beyond production-Empowering farmers, a two-day conference organised by the Department of Agriculture, he cited that India has overtaken China to become the world’s largest producer and rice exporter, with production ranging between 140 and 160 million metric tonnes annually. However, he stated that record output has not translated into financial security for farmers, who continue to face debt, crop risks and post-harvest losses. Notably, the new model is about processing, branding, packaging and marketing of agricultural produce, moving beyond traditional cultivation practices.  Not only this, but the state is also encouraging the formation of cooperatives and farmer-producer organisations to collectively process and market products, reduce dependence on middlemen and build farmer confidence. He stated that the initiative was also aimed at educated youth seeking employment, providing them with opportunities in integrated and progressive farming.

Kerala Minister Dismisses Centre’s Advice To Stop Incentive For Rice Cultivation 

Kerala’s Agri minister P Prasad stated that the state government dismissed suggestions made by the Union Finance Ministry‘s Department of Expenditure that Kerala review and discontinue incentive support for Paddy cultivation. The instructions contained in the letter were not acceptable. He told reporters and asserted that Kerala will not compromise on paddy cultivation, which he informed is central to the state’s food security policy. Apparently, the controversy emerged from a letter dated Jan 9, 2026 written by the Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, to Dr A Jayatilak, the Chief Secretary of Kerala. In the letter, the Union government flagged that bumper wheat and rice production in recent years has led to foodgrain stocks far exceeding buffer norms and welfare requirements, resulting in a growing fiscal burden due to procurement, storage and handling costs. Moreover, the letter cautioned that state-level bonuses paid over and above the Minimum Support Price would lead to surplus stocks and increase the pressure of subsidy on the state.

Rice Gaffe Haunts ex-farm minister Eto on campaign Trail

Japanese Former agriculture minister Taku Eto is struggling with an uphill battle to retain his House of Representatives seat in Sunday's general election after resigning from the Cabinet last year over insensitive comments related to rice amid a spike in prices for the staple grain. Eto told an audience of about 100 people involved in agriculture at a campaign rally in Hyuga, Miyazaki Prefecture, on Saturday, bowing low in apology. Notably, Eto was dismissed from his ministerial post in May last year after drawing criticism for saying: "I have never bought rice." At a time when consumers were grappling with soaring rice prices, he explained that he received so much of the staple from his supporters that he could even sell it. Eto, 65, is running in a traditionally conservative electoral base in Miyazaki's No. 2 constituency, which was inherited from his late father, Takami, a former construction minister who also held other key posts. Since first winning a seat in the Lower House in 2003, Eto has gone on to secure eight consecutive election victories. He even survived the 2005 election, despite losing the party's official endorsement since he opposed then-Prime Minister & LDP President Junichiro Koizumi's flagship policy of postal privatisation.