From Rice Stock Opportunities For Direct Sales To Consumers To Punjab Rice Farmers Earning Carbon Credits. Here is today’s Top Rice News.

By Megha Bajaj

Record Of Rice Stock With The Government Allows Possibilities For Direct Sales To Consumers

Currently, the government holds a record-high rice stock in its central reserves, far surpassing the buffer norms set for food security. Observing this situation, policymakers are now looking to sell rice directly to consumers (outside the traditional ration/PDS) and bulk channels. to decrease storage pressure and utilise the surplus. Notably, the large inventory has been driven by strong procurement at the minimum support price (MSP). Consequently, it leads to storage challenges alongside creating opportunities for alternative sales routes and potentially easing supply constraints in the markets.

Vietnamese Rice Exporters Pivot Strategy For A Challenging 2026

Fresh challenges are entering the scene since the industry is moving into 2026. The challenges are demanding more proactive and adaptive strategies from policymakers and the business community. In the past couple of years, Vietnam’s rice exports have unravelled against a backdrop of heightened volatility in global markets. It is marked by intensifying competition and rapidly shifting import policies among significant consuming countries. As per estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam’s rice exports reached nearly 8 million tonnes, sustaining the country’s position on number second as the world’s second-largest rice exporter. However, nations like the Philippines have suspended imports in an effort to safeguard domestic production. In addition, Indonesia and Malaysia have significantly decreased import volumes.

Rice Farmers In Punjab And Haryana To Start Getting Carbon Credit By FY26-End

Punjab is known as the breadbasket of India for the massive production of wheat and rice, since contributing significantly to India’s central reserves. The state provides a substantial portion of India’s wheat, nearly 18 to 20%, and rice, around 11%, to the national pool for the Public Distribution System (PDS). Now this state would also receive a carbon credit by the end of FY26. Significantly, rice farmers in Punjab and Haryana will be awarded carbon credits by the end of the current fiscal year. The First issuance of carbon credits for the farming program would cover nearly 30,000 acres across Punjab and Haryana, generating more than 50, 000 carbon credits through direct seeding and low tillage. The idea is to extend the facility to other areas and crops expeditiously. The programme was initiated by a private entity, Grow Indigo (GIPL), a joint venture between domestic seed major Mahyco and US-based Indigo in 2022. Not only issuing the credit, but the company will aggregate the credit and sell it, to buyers, while 75% of revenues earned from the credit flow back to farmers.