The government of India has allowed the export of 2,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to Malawi and Zimbabwe through National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL). Although there has been a ban on exporting non-basmati white rice since July 2023, specific nations are granted exemptions based on their food security needs. In a move to support global food security, the Indian government has authorised this export.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) confirmed this in a recent notification. Despite the ban on non-basmati white rice exports, exceptions are made for countries in need. The current permissions are processed through the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), which is a cooperative body involving significant players such as AMUL and IFFCO. In the past, India has provided similar allowances to countries like Nepal and Cameroon. This ongoing support underscores India’s commitment to addressing food security on a global scale, even in the face of domestic challenges.