UP Approves 7-Acre Lease for APEDA Basmati Processing Facility

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved the allotment of seven acres of land from the 66.7-acre agricultural farm at Tanda Bijesi village in Pilibhit to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The land will be utilized for establishing a basmati seed processing facility, a training centre, and a demonstration farm. The allotment will be made on a 30-year lease, extendable by an additional 40 years, at a nominal lease rent of ₹10 per year and a concessional premium of ₹100 per acre. Upon expiry of the lease period, the land will be returned in an encumbrance-free condition.

The project will also include a research centre, a high-quality seed production unit, and a NABL-accredited laboratory for testing basmati DNA and pesticide residues, ensuring compliance with international export standards.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr Ritesh Sharma of the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) said, “Under the seed production component of the project, we will produce nucleus, breeder, foundation, and certified basmati seeds. Farmers will also be trained in the production and processing of all four categories of seeds. This initiative aims to boost the production of globally recognised basmati rice in Pilibhit and surrounding districts.”

News by Rahul Yelligetti.