Chhattisgarh’s rice innovation breaks through: First export of fortified grains to Costa Rica
India has exported its first batch of Fortified Rice Kernel from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica, marking a milestone in nutrition-focused agri-exports. The 12-tonne shipment reflects growing global confidence in India’s fortified food capabilities, supports Poshan Abhiyan goals, boosts value-added rice trade, and positions Chhattisgarh as an emerging hub for nutrition-oriented grain processing.
India has unlocked a new chapter in its agri-export growth story with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitating the maiden export of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica. The shipment of 12 metric tonnes marks the first international consignment of nutritionally enhanced rice from the State, signalling a strategic convergence of India’s domestic health mission with its expanding global trade ambitions.
The initiative aligns with the national vision of “Kuposhan Mukt Bharat” under the Poshan Abhiyan, where fortified rice has become a core instrument in tackling hidden hunger and micronutrient deficiency. As the Food Corporation of India accelerates distribution of fortified rice across the country, today’s export milestone demonstrates the global readiness of India’s food-fortification capabilities and its intent to strengthen food systems beyond its borders.
Chhattisgarh — a state synonymous with rice cultivation — has been steadily building its credentials as a competitive source of value-added grain products. The breakthrough shipment underscores how farmers, millers, and processors in the state are transitioning from commodity trading to specialized nutrition markets with higher returns and stronger brand recognition. It also positions Chhattisgarh as an emerging hub in the global supply chain for science-backed staple innovation.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev congratulated the exporters and stakeholders for this achievement, noting that fortified rice exports not only diversify India’s agri-export basket but also reaffirm the nation’s leadership in deploying technology for public health impact. He said APEDA will scale its support to facilitate market access for fortified and value-enhanced staples, particularly in regions facing nutritional vulnerabilities.
Mukesh Jain, President of The Rice Exporters Association of Chhattisgarh, welcomed the milestone as a turning point for the state’s export ecosystem. He confirmed that new international markets for FRK are already being explored and emphasized the importance of sustained APEDA collaboration to accelerate the state’s export momentum.
Fortified Rice Kernel is engineered by blending rice flour with essential micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, and shaping the mixture into rice-like grains through an extrusion process. These grains are then blended with regular rice to uplift nutritional value without altering the culinary experience — a critical requirement for mass adoption. The Costa Rica shipment demonstrates international confidence in India’s technology for scalable, cost-efficient nutrition improvement.
As fortified foods gain prominence in global food-security strategies, India’s entry into the FRK export market reflects a larger ambition: to become a trusted supplier of affordable, high-impact nutrition solutions to the world. With this milestone, India is positioning fortified staples not only as a tool for domestic health transformation, but also as a competitive export category aligned with the needs of emerging markets grappling with malnutrition.
The flag-off of the first FRK consignment from Chhattisgarh signals what could become a defining opportunity — where agricultural export growth and global nutrition leadership advance hand in hand.
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Source : AgroSpectrum India
