New Delhi, April 30, 2026 — In a major development for the agricultural sector, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has officially signed a 70-year lease agreement to establish a Basmati and Organic Training Centre-cum-Demo Farm in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
The land transfer, located at Tanda Bijaisi in Pilibhit, was formalized through a joint agreement between APEDA, the Department of Agriculture, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The proposed facility is set to be developed across an expansive area of approximately seven acres. Once completed, it will be the country’s first-ever Basmati organic training and demonstration farm designed to cover both conventional and organic Basmati cultivation techniques.
The state-of-the-art center will be heavily equipped to support agricultural education and research. Key facilities will include:
A dedicated auditorium and conference room for workshops.
A museum and gallery focused on Basmati and organic farming.
Specialized laboratories and storage spaces for organic farming inputs.
The facility is specifically designed to support capacity building for farmers and act as a vital resource hub for agricultural experts and students. Given its strategic location, it is expected to primarily benefit stakeholders in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The event was attended by Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology. Addressing the gathering, Shri Prasada highlighted Pilibhit’s immense potential as a major Basmati-producing region and strongly emphasized the need to expand organic cultivation.
Bridging his technology portfolio with agriculture, the Minister also suggested incorporating an AI-based interactive museum at the newly leased center. Alongside the lease signing, the government also launched an AI-Based Basmati Paddy Survey Project aimed at significantly enhancing crop assessment and streamlining export planning.