Research centre delay hurts Punjab basmati exports.
pesticide-free basmati
and ongoing efforts to wean them off water-intensive paddy, the state govt is yet to allocate the necessary land for a Centre-backed project. The proposed
basmati research centre
in
Tarn Taran
, intended to include basmati sample testing facilities, remains stalled, hindering a much-needed boost to the state's basmati exports in the competitive global market.The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (
APEDA
) had decided to set up the research centre, and the state govt initially offered to provide 14 acres of land in Khabba Rajputan village in Tarn Taran on a 30-year lease.
It was to include a seed centre and training centre for farmers.The delay comes amid the recent headwinds faced by Indian basmati exporters. Following a period of struggle due to the now-withdrawn minimum export price (MEP), the industry had to later deal with the complexities arising from the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, further impacting their ability to sell produce in the global market.According to Ashok Sethi, director of Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters' Association, the stalled basmati research centre was vital to prevent European rejection of export orders due to pesticide contamination.
Operation Sindoor
India-Pakistan Tensions Live Updates: India hits back after Pakistan violates ceasefire; Nagrota sentry hurt in brief gunfire
Operation Sindoor Live Updates: Drones shot down at multiple places in J&K as Pakistan violates bilateral understanding
Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal
He highlighted the expensive alternative of private lab testing that costs around Rs 10,000 per sample. "A local exporter is now setting up his own laboratory. Every year, 4-5 containers are sent back from Europe. In August last year, the then secretary, agriculture and APEDA officials visited the site. The project is delayed despite the state govt's push for crop diversification," he said.An APEDA official added that the state-of-the-art research centre was to be funded by APEDA but is held back for want of necessary land by the state govt. The proposed research centre in Tarn Taran was envisioned to ensure the quality of Punjab's basmati exports, he said.Punjab stands as a major contributor to India's annual basmati rice exports, which are valued at approximately Rs 50 thousand crore. With a production level of 3.84 lakh metric tonnes in the last recorded period, the state accounts for a substantial 42.7% of the total national output. Key export destinations for Indian basmati in 2023-24 included Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, the USA, and Yemen Republic."The absence of such a facility leaves Punjab's significant basmati production vulnerable to international quality standards, potentially jeopardising its market share and the income of its farmers. The state govt's inaction on providing land for this vital project raises questions about its commitment to both crop diversification and supporting the basmati sector," said Amarjit Singh, a basmati exporter from Amritsar.BOX: PUNJAB HAS BANNED 10 INSECTICIDESThe state govt issued a gazette notification in 2023 to prohibit the sale, stock, and distribution of the insecticides on the basmati crop for being a "potential constraint in export and consumption of basmati rice." There is a risk of more than the maximum residual level (MRL) of pesticides on account of the use of the agro-chemicals, it said. MSID:: 121056937 413 |
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Wire
25 minutes ago
- The Wire
Flashoot Empowers India's Youth Through Real-Time Content Creation and Employment Opportunities
Hyderabad, July 25th :Flashoot, a real-time content creation platform, is redefining the creative economy in India by offering young individuals an opportunity to earn, learn, and grow in the digital media space. By bridging the gap between creators and events, the startup is not only delivering instant visual content but also enabling gig-based employment across the country. Founded under the banner of Konchamkode Private Limited, Flashoot connects local creators to birthdays, weddings, college fests, and corporate gigs, where they can shoot, edit, and deliver content on the go often using nothing more than an iPhone. The company recently announced its expansion to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other metros as part of its pan-India growth plan. What sets Flashoot apart is its grassroots approach to onboarding creators. With a strong focus on training, upskilling, and monetization, the platform allows youth from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities to become independent professionals, building a reel portfolio and generating income on their terms. 'At Flashoot, we're not just building a product, we're creating a movement that empowers young creators across India to earn, grow, and express themselves,' said Manikanta Bukka, Co-Founder of Flashoot. 'Our vision is to make high-quality content creation accessible to everyone, not just large agencies or studios. If you have a phone, passion, and creativity, there's a place for you at Flashoot.' By enabling brands and event organizers to book a creator in minutes, Flashoot ensures timely delivery of digital assets, a growing necessity in today's content-driven landscape. According to early investor Raghu Nandan, Flashoot is more than a tech solution. 'Flashoot is solving two critical problems, creating instant content at scale and generating meaningful work for the country's creative youth,' he noted. 'I believed in the idea from day one because it goes beyond tech, it creates livelihoods. I've seen firsthand how young people in smaller towns are turning their phones into income streams through this platform.' With several thousand creators onboarded and a rising footprint across cities, Flashoot is poised to shape the future of real-time content delivery while championing economic empowerment. As the Indian gig economy gains traction, platforms like Flashoot offer a glimpse into how technology, creativity, and community can converge to build the next wave of digital employment. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
The Wire
25 minutes ago
- The Wire
Messe Frankfurt and MEX Exhibitions Enter into a Strategic Alliance for Pan India Business Platform for the Gifting and Stationery
In a landmark announcement made during the grand opening of Gifts World Expo – Delhi 2025, the organisers of Paperworld India, Corporate Gifts Show, and Gifts World Expo officially announced the merger of their exhibition portfolios. New Delhi, Delhi, India – Business Wire India With dedicated shows now mapped across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata, this joint initiative underscores a long-term strategy to establish a pan-India presence for the Gifting and Stationery sector. By creating strong regional platforms in the country's top-tier commercial and consumption hubs, the organisers are delivering a scalable model that supports: • Wider market access for exhibitors by reaching buyers and distributors in multiple cities. • Year-round business engagement through staggered show calendars. • Enhanced visibility for brands targeting B2B, Retail, and Corporate segments. • Targeted networking and buyer connect opportunities tailored to each region's commercial pulse. This nationwide approach not only enables companies to tap into region-specific demand patterns, but also contributes to building a national ecosystem for gifting and stationery. Together, these leading exhibition brands in India will form an unmatched powerhouse for the gifting & stationery industry—offering an integrated platform that connects manufacturers, innovators, and buyers from across the country and beyond. The upcoming February 2026 Mumbai edition of Gifts World Expo will mark the transformation of the longstanding Corporate Gifts Show, which will now be rebranded under the Gifts World Expo umbrella so as to cover the entire gamut of gifting and not being just confined to corporate gifting. This rebranding signifies a cohesive and unified platform for the gifting industry, building on the strong foundation and legacy of the previous shows. Simultaneously, Paperworld India, the global brand for the stationery, office, and school supplies sector under the Messe Frankfurt portfolio, will make its debut in the capital city of New Delhi, alongside Gifts World Expo (New Delhi 2026 edition) further expanding its footprint in India & then move to other regions as per the market demand. Talking about the alliance, Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd. commented: 'Our continued partnership with MEX Exhibitions aims to align our strengths and industry insights to build a nationally relevant and sectorally deep portfolio. With Gifts World Expo expanding into Mumbai and the launch of Paperworld India in New Delhi, we are strategically poised to serve both the B2B gifting and stationery segments more effectively with a strong brand with enhanced offerings through a single-source business platform. Adopting a pan-India strategy focused on these four key commercial and consumption hubs will enable the shows further to drive stronger market reach and sustained business engagement throughout the year for both Indian and global brands.' Ms Himani Gulati and Mr Gaurav Juneja, Directors of MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, shared their enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating: 'We are excited to partner with Messe Frankfurt India in the gifting and stationery segments through Gifts World Expo. This strategic collaboration reflects our joint vision to elevate the industry by building a comprehensive, future-oriented platform that serves stakeholders across the entire value chain. Gifts World Expo has established itself as a leading show in the gifting exhibition space, and this alliance will further reinforce our dedication to delivering exceptional value to both exhibitors and visitors. It also aims to take the shows from being just national to international entities. We are confident that the partnership will broaden the scale, enhance content depth, and elevate the show's international stature, while continuing to maintain the high standards of business networking and product presentation that the industry has come to associate with the event.' The Indian stationery industry in 2025 (as per Wright's Research) is a dynamic and competitive sector with a value of around USD 3.49 billion, with a five-year forecasted CAGR of 8-10%. The industry is dominated by the education sector, corporate offices, and increasing demand for premium and digital stationery. Although conventional paper-based products like notebooks, registers, and copier paper remain the major players, there is a growing trend towards environmentally friendly, customised, and technologically enabled stationery solutions. The culture of gifting in India is undergoing a remarkable transformation. No longer confined to festivals and weddings, gifting has become an integral part of personal expression, corporate engagement, and digital commerce. The Indian gifting market is experiencing robust growth, with an estimated value of USD 75.16 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 92.32 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.55% (as per Retail Research Trends). As a global market leader also in the consumer good trade fair sector, Messe Frankfurt hosts around 30 industry events around the world every year – from major international trade fairs to events of regional relevance. In doing so, Messe Frankfurt co-operates with local partners to combine expertise. Gifts World Expo and Paperworld India will be part of Conzoom Circle, Messe Frankfurt's global network of lifestyle goods, which interlinks all trade fairs and further formats, offering increased opportunities to all stakeholders in the global consumer goods market and enabling the targeted development of specific markets. The debut edition of Gifts World Expo in Mumbai will be held from 26 – 28 February 2026, Hall 2-3, Nesco, Mumbai in India. Press information and photographic material: About Messe Frankfurt The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,500 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2024 were € 775 million. We serve our customers' business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt's key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity. For more information, please visit our website at: With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent). Website: About MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. is an international exhibition company with a strong presence of over four decades in the advertising industry, over 28 years in publishing & 23 years in exhibitions. The company has produced more than 100 market-leading trade exhibitions for various segments in addition to publishing various magazines & advertising trade directories of repute. Successful exhibitions are conducted all over India, Dubai, Singapore, Canada and Thailand. For more details, visit our website at: To View the Image, Click on the Link Below: (L-R) Mr Raj Manek & Mr Winston Pereira of Messe Frankfurt India and Ms Himani Gulati & Mr Gaurav Juneja from MEX Exhibitions (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
The Wire
25 minutes ago
- The Wire
HUB Interior Debuts: Homes Under Budget Rebrands with New Identity and Multi-Segment Expansion
Bengaluru, Karnataka | [25th July, 2025] —Homes Under Budget, the trusted name for affordable modular interiors, has officially rebranded as HUB Interior, signaling a major evolution in its journey. The rebranding reflects not just a change in name, but a significant transformation in vision—positioning the brand to meet a wider range of interior needs across residential, commercial, and lifestyle categories. What began as a mission to deliver smart, budget-friendly interiors has grown into a full-scale interior solutions company. With this shift, HUB Interior now operates through four distinct verticals designed to cater to every design aspiration. While the original Homes Under Budget continues to serve value-conscious homeowners with modular solutions, the new additions—Hubsolute, Home & Merry, and The Office—address luxury living, curated lifestyle décor, and workspace interiors respectively. This diversified approach enables HUB to support clients across all life stages, from first homes to executive offices. 'At its heart, our brand has always been about delivering thoughtful spaces. With HUB Interior, we're ready to serve evolving consumer aspirations—from affordable design to luxury interiors—while retaining the speed, transparency, and trust we're known for,' said Ranjith P Raj, Founder and CEO. To match the scale of its vision, HUB Interior has introduced a series of operational advancements. Central to this is the launch of FastTrack Interiors, a rapid delivery offering that completes interior projects within 34 days—an industry-leading benchmark. Alongside this, automation tools and process transparency have been embedded into every stage of the project journey, ensuring a seamless client experience. As part of its expansion strategy, the company has also launched a franchise model, empowering entrepreneurs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities to bring HUB's design standards and systems to local markets. This move is expected to significantly increase the brand's footprint across India in the coming year. With a redefined identity, broadened capabilities, and a forward-looking approach, HUB Interior is poised to become a design partner of choice for homes and businesses alike—reimagining what modern Indian interiors can be. For more information, visit /or follow HUB Interior on social platforms. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
