No Government Funding for India Rice Conference

28-Oct-2025 05:28 PM

New Delhi. The Union Commerce Ministry has clarified that the government is not providing any financial support for the India International Rice Conference (BIRC), to be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on October 30-31, 2025.

The two-day conference is being organized by the private organization, the Indian Rice Exporters Federation, and the government is only providing non-financial support. This clarification is important because specific allegations have been made against the National President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IRF).

A statement issued by the Commerce Ministry stated that regarding the allegations being made about the National President of IRF or its functioning, it is clarified that the Department of Commerce cannot comment on this matter as this is a specific individual matter and the organization has become private. However, the government regularly engages with all stakeholders in every economic sector to ensure their participation in decision-making and trade promotion.

Rice is a leading member of the export front among agricultural and food commodities. India remains the world's leading rice exporter.

During the fiscal year 2024-25, the country exported rice worth approximately $1295 billion. India is now becoming the world's leading rice producer, surpassing China. Given the importance of this sector, the Department of Commerce, along with all other stakeholders and ministries/departments, is providing non-financial support to the India International Rice Conference.

The International Rice Conference is organized by I-REF, a private trade organization whose members include firms in the rice industry, trade, and export.

The conference's expenses are borne by the organization. The Department of Commerce has no role in appointing the chairman and members of the organization. APEDA is providing non-financial support to this event.