The government has approved the export of 2,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to two African nations, Malawi and Zimbabwe. This decision, announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a recent notification, allows the export through the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL).
Despite a ban on non-basmati white rice exports since July 20, 2023, aimed at boosting domestic supply, the government permits exports to certain countries to address their food security needs upon request. Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, and Zimbabwe, located in southern Africa, have each been allocated 1,000 tonnes of this rice.
The DGFT stated, “Exports of non-basmati white rice to Malawi and Zimbabwe through NCEL is notified.” This follows previous allowances for countries such as Nepal, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Seychelles.
NCEL is one of the three multi-state cooperative societies formed by Amit Shah led Ministry of Cooperation, last year. National Cooperative Export Limited is backed by jor Indian cooperatives including Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), known as AMUL, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO), and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).
