Top Rice News: Weak Monsoon Hits Crops, MP’s Basmati & India’s Aid
Top rice news today includes a weak monsoon hitting pulses, soybean, cotton, but rice is relatively protected, exports of Basmati rice from Madhya Pradesh to 47 countries and India’s humanitarian aid to Mozambique
Weak Monsoon May Hit Pulses, Soybean, Cotton, But Rice Is Relatively Protected
According to an analysis by a media outlet, a below-normal monsoon forecast for 2026 could disproportionately hurt India’s pulses, soybean and cotton output, since the production of these crops is concentrated in states with relatively weaker irrigation coverage. On April 13, the India Meteorological Department projected monsoon rainfall at 92 per cent of the long –period average (LPA). Notably, this is the weakest preliminary forecast in nearly 26 years. Lack of rainfall increases the risks to sowing, production and rural demand, along with adding pressure on food inflation. Apparently, soybean production in India is the most vulnerable. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are key producers in India’s soybean output, but irrigation coverage is only 43.3 per cent, below the national average of 59.9 per cent. Moreover, cotton is also facing an elevated risk since it has relatively low irrigation at 43.3 per cent, whereas Gujarat has stronger irrigation coverage at 70.6 per cent. On the contrary, rice production in India is relatively better insulated nationally because a large share of output comes from better-irrigated states. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh together account for 32.7 per cent of India’s rice output, with irrigation coverage in major rice-producing states ranging from 59.9 per cent to 72.9 per cent.
Madhya Pradesh’s basmati rice reaches 47 countries, highlights CM
State Chief Minister Mohan Yadav proudly said that the district exported Basmati rice to 47 countries at a recent gathering of thousands of farmers at Raisen in Madhya Pradesh. Despite the state not being recognised as a Basmati growing State under the Geographical Indications (GI) definition. Not only this, but the matter is yet to be settled legally. Yadav’s mention of export happening from Raisen may undermine India’s case globally, since no major importing country has yet to identify its Basmati GI despite APEDA spending a huge sum in the past many years. Undoubtedly, the issue of including Madhya Pradesh in the GI area is an emotive issue in the State, first raised by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, when he was chief minister, as the State government had filed a case in the GI tag inclusion of Madhya Pradesh in Basmati region. Under the GI law, even if farmers grow Basmati rice varieties outside the demarcated GI area, they cannot be sold as Basmati, making it difficult to export. However, Opposition Congress leader Digvijaya Singh last month threatened to go on a hunger strike if the State’s farmers do not receive the GI benefits for their Basmati rice. He wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a GI tag for Basmati rice produced in Madhya Pradesh.
India sends 500 MT of rice, relief aid to flood-hit Mozambique
India has dispatched 500 metric tonnes of rice to Mozambique following devastating floods along with 10 MT of relief supplies, including tents, hygiene kits, and medicines . Additional consignments of life-saving medicines have also been delivered earlier. The move is part of India’s humanitarian assistance efforts, reinforcing its role as a key responder and partner in the Indian Ocean and African regions. Not only this, but it further highlights India’s role as a responsible global partner and its commitment to supporting countries in crisis, especially in the Indian Ocean and African regions. Earlier, India also extended humanitarian assistance to Burkina Faso by dispatching 1,000 metric tonnes of rice, reflecting its commitment to global food security and South-South cooperation. This aid comes at a time when several African nations, including Burkina Faso, are facing food shortages and economic challenges.