From Jammu’s Basmati to Italy’s Arborio, BIRC 2026 to showcase 200 rice varieties to world consumers

New Delhi [India], September 22 (ANI): Indian rice exporters wish to widen the nation’s export basket and attain new markets by means of a first-of-its-kind Global Rice Archive that can deliver round 200 commercially related Indian and worldwide rice varieties below one roof on the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026.

The archive, to be unveiled at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi throughout BIRC 2026 from October 23-25, will permit worldwide consumers to match varieties primarily based on grain traits, look, processing codecs and origin earlier than partaking straight with exporters and producers, based on the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF). 

Developed across the theme “200 Varieties. One Cultural Landscape,” the Global Rice Archive will likely be considered one of 9 immersive Experience Zones on the convention. It will showcase rice not solely as a traded commodity but additionally within the context of geography, biodiversity, culinary traditions and cultivation practices. 

The archive will characteristic worldwide varieties resembling Italy’s Arborio, Thailand’s Jasmine and Glutinous RD6 and a Japanese Sushi Rice entry alongside India’s Basmati varieties, fragrant heritage grains, black and crimson rice and different regional specialities. 

IREF expects the initiative to function a product-discovery platform for Indian exporters, doubtlessly serving to consumers who at present supply solely a restricted variety of Indian varieties determine speciality, fragrant and non-Basmati rice appropriate for his or her markets. 

“Rice is purchased not only by price but by grain characteristics, cooking behaviour, cuisine and consumer preference. For the first time, a global buyer coming to BIRC will be able to see a wide spectrum of commercially relevant varieties at one place, compare them and then immediately engage with suppliers,” mentioned Dev Garg, talking on behalf of IREF. 

India’s business export choices on the archive will embody 1121, 1718, 1509 and 1401 Basmati, Pusa Basmati, Sugandha, Sharbati, PR-11, PR-14, Parmal and Sona Masoori. These will likely be displayed throughout processing codecs together with uncooked, steam, sella and golden-sella. 

The archive may also showcase regional varieties together with Navara and Rakthashali from Kerala; Seeraga Samba, Mappillai Samba and Karuppu Kavuni from Tamil Nadu; Dubraj from Chhattisgarh; Tulaipanji from West Bengal; Chakhao Black Rice from Manipur; Joha from Assam; Kalanamak from Uttar Pradesh; Chinnor from Madhya Pradesh; Ambemohar from Maharashtra; and Mushbudji from Kashmir. 

“We believe the Rice Archive can become an important instrument for product discovery and help expand exports beyond the varieties and markets India traditionally serves,” Garg mentioned. 

Each chosen grain will likely be displayed individually utilizing miniature jute sacks and conventional tarazus, with the set up looking for to mix business product discovery with the preservation and celebration of rice biodiversity. 

The archive will complement BIRC 2026’s structured business-to-business programme, enabling worldwide guests to maneuver from discovering a rice selection to figuring out potential suppliers and discussing transactions inside the convention. 

The Experience Zones will likely be formally unveiled on the opening day of BIRC 2026 alongside the Rice Sector Vision 2047. The wider convention programme will embody data periods, innovation showcases, buyer-seller conferences and a Rice Festival. (ANI)