The Government of India regularly engages with all stakeholders in every economic sector to ensure participatory decision making and trade promotion.Rice is the foremost agri-export of India, with exports in 2024-25 at about US$ 12.95 Billion and India is also projected to be the largest producer of rice in the world. In view of the importance of the sector, the Department of Commerce along with other stakeholder line Ministries/departments are extending non-financial support to the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC), 2025

The BIRC 2025 is scheduled to be held at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on 30–31 October 2025. It is being organised by the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF), a private trade body in the rice sector, having amongst it’s membership, exporters of rice sector and other stakeholders engaged in the rice eco-system. The department of Commerce does not have any role in the appointment of the members and president of the IREF.

Apart from the IREF, other prominent rice exporter associations of India (for Non-Basmati rice), namely The Rice Exporters Association, Chhattisgarh (TREA-CG) and The Rice Exporters Association (TREA), Kakinada are also co-partnering in the event.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which is tasked with the promotion of exports of Agricultural and processed food products, is giving support to event in the form of getting on board relevant line Ministries/ departments in the conference so as to ensure a holistic and coordinated action towards expansion and promotion of rice exports.

The entire expenditure of the event in terms of making all logistic arrangements, including booking of venue, hosting of buyers(travel fare, accommodation) etc is being borne by the IREF and its other co-partners through its own funds or from private sponsorships. Thus, expenses for organizing the exhibition, Buyer-seller meet, technical sessions, creative costs like videos, banners, posters, exhibits etc are being completely borne by the organizers.

With respect to specific allegations made against the national President of the IREF, or about the operations of the IREF, in a section of the press, the Department cannot comment on the matter as it is a private affair of the individual and a private trade body.

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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

Bharat International Rice Conference 2025 receives non financial government support while organisers fund all event expenses. The Department of Commerce is providing non-financial support to the Bharat International Rice Conference 2025 by coordinating line ministries and stakeholders to promote rice exports, while the private organisers and co-partners fully fund all logistical, exhibition, buyer-hosting, and creative expenses; the department does not appoint the private body's officers and will not comment on internal allegations concerning its personnel.