India has exported its first consignment of GI-tagged Joha Rice from Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy, marking a significant step in promoting indigenous agricultural products in international markets.
The 25-metric-tonne consignment was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and was dispatched on March 12 in collaboration with the Assam government’s agriculture department.
Joha rice, an indigenous aromatic rice variety known for its distinct fragrance, fine grain texture and rich taste, received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017 and is increasingly gaining recognition in premium domestic and global markets.
According to official data, Joha rice is cultivated across about 21,662 hectares in Assam, with an estimated production of around 43,298 metric tonnes during the 2024–25 financial year.
Major producing districts include Nagaon, Baksa, Goalpara, Sivasagar, Majuli, Chirang and Golaghat, where the crop provides significant livelihood opportunities for farmers.
The Ministry said the expansion of exports is expected to enhance farmers’ income while strengthening the global presence of Assam’s traditional rice varieties.
The consignment was flagged off by Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora in the presence of senior officials, including Agriculture Production Commissioner Aruna Rajoria, ARIAS Society State Project Director Virendra Mittal, Director of Agriculture Uday Praveen, and APEDA representative Saurabh Srivastava.
The export is being undertaken by APEDA-registered exporter Safe Agritrade Pvt. Ltd., based in Kolkata, while the rice was processed and packed at Pratik Agro Food Processing in Guwahati.
APEDA has been actively working to promote Joha rice in international markets. Earlier, the authority facilitated the export of 1 metric tonne of the GI-tagged rice to Vietnam and 2 metric tonnes to five Middle Eastern countries – Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry said the latest shipment is part of efforts to promote GI-tagged agricultural products from India, expand exports from the North Eastern Region, and strengthen market linkages between producers and international buyers.
