India: Bharat International Rice Conference kicks off with focus on AI, trade, farmer empowerment

• Over INR 3,000 crore worth of MoUs signed on Day 1
• India unveils AI-based rice sorting system

The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025 opened in New Delhi on 30 October 2025, positioning India’s rice sector for a technology-driven transformation. Held at the Bharat Mandapam under the aegis of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the two-day event brought together over 7,800 participants from more than 80 countries, including exporters, policymakers, and technology leaders.

The conference began with the launch of India’s first AI-powered rice sorting system – a move aimed at enhancing precision, efficiency, and quality in rice processing. The inaugural ceremony saw 17 Indian farmers honoured by global importers for their contribution to India’s growing role in world rice trade.

INR 3,000 crore MoUs mark strong investment momentum

Deals worth over INR 3,000 crore were signed on Day 1, the organisers said. Of this, INR 2,200 crore involved private companies in Bihar for promoting GI-tagged varieties such as Katarni rice. Several other MoUs were finalised between Indian and overseas firms to strengthen value addition, processing capacity, and export linkages.

The conference targets tapping into global rice trade valued at INR 1.8 lakh crore. Organisers expect total investment commitments of around INR 25,000 crore by the close of the event as India seeks to consolidate its leadership as the world’s top rice exporter.

Farmers, innovation at the centre of dialogue

Prem Garg, National President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), said farmers remain central to India’s rice success story. “Their efforts have made Indian rice one of the most traded commodities globally. With AI-driven processing and sustainable practices, we are entering a new era of agricultural excellence,” he said.

Garg added that BIRC 2025 aligns with the government’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision, promoting inclusive and technology-led growth across the value chain.

Charting India’s rice roadmap to 2047

The event hosted four key sessions covering global market evolution, shipping logistics, agricultural innovation, and value addition. The Global Rice Market Evolution session launched a roadmap initiative for transforming India’s rice industry by 2047. Discussions on ‘Shipping Logistics for Rice Trade’ addressed freight costs and supply chain bottlenecks, while improving rice agriculture and nutrition focused on climate-resilient farming and fortified rice. The value addition in the rice session highlighted branding, packaging, and technology as levers for export premiumisation.

Outlook

BIRC 2025 showcased India’s ambition to move beyond volume leadership towards a technology-enabled, farmer-centric rice economy. With strong participation, AI integration, and major trade deals, the conference underscored India’s intent to position its rice sector as a model of innovation and sustainability in the global grain market.