Firm up farm product quality control

After Indian mangoes were rejected in Japan, and herbs, spices and nuts were flagged in the EU, basmati rice is now facing biosafety-related scrutiny in Australia. The rice, mainly from Punjab and Haryana and worth about ₹200 cr, is stranded at Australian ports after failing to meet fumigation requirements. The regulatory agency in Australia has suspended 44 Indian fumigation service providers.

While Australian authorities have clarified that there is no ban on Indian basmati imports and that safety of the rice is not in question, Indian agricultural products have repeatedly been found to contain pesticide residues and heavy metals above permissible limits in other countries. Addressing this issue should be a priority, not a matter for ad-hoc negotiations between regulators and industry. Strong food safety systems are essential not only to protect India's expanding agricultural exports but also health of consumers at home and abroad. This requires science-based standards, a farm-to-port traceability system leveraging DPI, stronger compliance mechanisms and rigorous testing across the supply chain.

India must also begin phasing out hazardous pesticides and chemicals with well-established health risks, particularly those banned or severely restricted in many countries, such as paraquat and 2,4-D. Use of unauthorised fruit-ripening agents must be eliminated. Reducing dependence on pesticides and chemical fertilisers will improve quality of farm products, safeguard public health, and reduce soil and water pollution. If India aspires to be a trusted global supplier of agricultural products, meeting highest food safety and quality standards must become a competitive advantage, not an afterthought, both at home and away.