SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s iconic Geographical Indication (GI) tagged MushqBudji rice was featured at an international rice trade event held recently in New Delhi, alongside premium-quality traditional aromatic rice varieties such as Kalanamak, Gobindobhog, Jeerakasala, Chakhao, Katarni from India, and Khao Tai, etc., from other countries.
In a leap towards global markets, SKUAST-K initiated the launch of a field-to-export value-chain pilot for the high-aroma rice landrace Mushq Budji, in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Department of Agriculture, J&K, and IRRI, Philippines/India, with active participation from the Farmers Producer Organization (FPO) named “MushqBudji Rice Farmers Producer Company Limited”.
The FPO, facilitated through joint collaboration of NABARD, the Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, J&K, and SKUAST-Kashmir, has enabled the creation of robust value chains—from seed production and modern milling units to branding and export promotion.
It may be reminded that MushqBudji rice of Kashmir was granted the prestigious GI tag in 2023, officially recognizing its unique regional identity, exceptional aroma, and heritage value linked to the agro-ecological niche of the Valley.
Under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, a long-term strategy has been formulated, integrating SKUAST-K research initiatives with production upscaling from the Department of Agriculture and APEDA’s market intelligence and export facilitation frameworks. This strategy aims to expand MushqBudji cultivation, seed renewal, and foreign trade.
Prof. Haroon R. Naik, Director of Research at SKUAST-K, underscored the importance of developing a robust promotional framework to position this high-value commodity in international markets. Accordingly, an expert group comprising Dr. Shabir A. Wani, Professor of Agri-Economics and Business Management; Dr. Najeeb R. Sofi, ADR, MRCFC, Khudwani; Dr. Asif Bashir Shikari, Professor of Genetics & Plant Breeding at SKUAST-K; and Mr. Chowdhury M. Iqbal, CEO of SKUAST-K Seeds Company Ltd., was nominated to oversee the implementation of the program.
The group members and officers from APEDA held a meeting in New Delhi on the sidelines of ‘The Bharat International Rice Conference 2025 (BIRC 2025),’ held from October 30-31 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Each grain of MushqBudji tells a story of tradition, terroir, and taste; celebrated for its unique aroma, taste, and legacy. During the event, MushqBudji was showcased for its culinary value, where its distinctive aroma, texture, and cooking quality drew wide appreciation from chefs, food connoisseurs, and international delegates alike. Delegates from approximately 80 countries witnessed the diversity and richness of the featured rice products. The trade basket also included Basmati varieties from the Jammu region.
Discussions focused on SKUAST-K’s work on seed systems, MAS-derived MushqBudji lines with improved blast resistance aimed at certification of “export-ready” genetic stock, along with support for packaging, export compliance, grading, and logistics—enabling the aromatic rice to meet stringent global quality benchmarks. Interactions with partners from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, opened avenues for collaboration and inclusion in the global catalogue.
The university also networked with private exporters expressing interest in sourcing GI-certified MushqBudji for export and trade. The representatives from FPO were felicitated during the event for their pivotal role in strengthening the local-to-global value chain.
This initiative symbolizes the convergence of scientific innovation, institutional collaboration, and farmer empowerment—from seed to export.