Beyond Volume: Chirag Paswan Urges Shift to Rice Value Addition
Union Minister Chirag Paswan urges India to shift from rice production volumes to value addition and sustainability to dominate global markets.
India has long been a powerhouse in agricultural production, but the focus must now shift from how much we grow to how much value we create. Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, has called for a strategic pivot in the rice sector, urging the nation to move beyond high production volumes toward India rice value addition, enhanced traceability, and sustainable practices.
Speaking at the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 in New Delhi, the Minister emphasized that while India has successfully established a robust production base, the next leap requires a focus on product quality and technological innovation to secure a stronger foothold in the global marketplace.
From Quantity to Quality
Minister Paswan pointed out a critical transition in India's agricultural journey. In previous decades, the primary goal was to combat food shortages by maximizing production. However, he argued that the current era demands a different approach.
“Since we have that volume with us, value is what we need to talk about. Since we have that production with us, product is what we need to emphasize on,” the Minister stated.
He highlighted that food processing is a sector that has historically lacked the emphasis it deserved, and correcting this is essential for India's ambition to become a developed nation by 2047.
Dominating the Global Rice Trade
India currently commands nearly 40 per cent of the global rice trade. To maintain and grow this influence, Paswan stressed the importance of:
- Research and Innovation: Implementing cutting-edge research to improve the quality of rice exports.
- Technology Exchange: Collaborating with other nations to adopt best global practices.
- Traceability and Sustainability: Ensuring that the journey from farm to fork is transparent and environmentally viable.
Boosting Domestic Manufacturing
A key part of the Minister's vision involves reducing reliance on foreign technology. He urged the industry to evaluate the machinery used throughout the entire value chain—from the initial cultivation of paddy to the final processing stages.
By manufacturing this machinery domestically, India can align the rice sector with the government's broader push for "Make in India," ensuring that the tools used to process food are as homegrown as the crops themselves.
The Vision of a 'Global Food Basket'
The ultimate objective, according to Paswan, is to position India as a "global food basket." This involves a dual strategy: meeting all domestic food requirements while simultaneously becoming a reliable, high-quality supplier to the rest of the world.
He noted that strategic trade agreements would be pivotal in this journey, allowing Indian businesses to expand their export reach while gaining access to international technology.
Collaborative Growth
The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 is a three-day event bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, exporters, researchers, and industry representatives. Minister Paswan has requested that the policy recommendations and suggestions emerging from these discussions be shared directly with his ministry to help shape future growth strategies for the industry.