In News:

• India has been recognised as the ‘Country of the Year’ at BIOFACH 2026, the world’s premier trade fair for organic food and agriculture. The event is held annually at the Nuremberg Messe Exhibition Centre in Germany and is managed by NürnbergMesse GmbH.
• This recognition reflects India’s growing prominence in the global organic sector and its expanding footprint in sustainable agriculture and exports.

About BIOFACH

BIOFACH is widely regarded as the world’s leading international platform for certified organic products.

Key Features:

• Focus on organic food and agriculture
• Promotes global trade in certified organic products
• Facilitates B2B networking among producers, exporters, retailers and policymakers
• Encourages sustainable farming practices and environmentally responsible consumption
• Serves as a hub for innovation in organic farming and processing technologies

Significance for India

1. Strengthening Global Organic Leadership

India’s designation positions it as a major supplier of certified organic produce at a time when global demand for sustainable food systems is rising.

2. Boost to Agricultural Exports

The recognition enhances India’s visibility and market access for organic exports such as:

• Organic rice
• Spices
• Pulses
• Oilseeds
• Cashew
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Mango puree
• Essential oils

3. Promotion of GI-Tagged Products

India is showcasing five GI-tagged rice varieties, reinforcing the branding of its traditional agricultural heritage and geographical diversity.

4. Empowerment of FPOs and Regional Producers

Participation from over 20 States and Union Territories highlights inclusive growth and the integration of grassroots producers, including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), into global value chains.

5. Soft Power and Culinary Diplomacy

Live tastings and demonstrations, including organic biryani and heritage rice varieties, strengthen India’s cultural outreach and organic brand identity internationally.

In News:

The Union budget 2026-27 has proposed ‘Bharat-VISTAAR’ (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources).

Key Features

• A key innovation is Bharat-VISTAAR is a multilingual AI-based advisory platform aimed at strengthening farm-level decision-making.
• Integrates AgriStack databases with scientific advisories from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Provides customised, real-time advisory on:
  • Crop planning and packages of practices
  • Pest and disease management
  • Weather forecasts
  • Market trends and price signals
  • Government schemes, eligibility and grievance redressal
• Initially launched in Hindi and English, with gradual expansion to regional languages
• Budget Allocation: ?150 crore for 2026–27

Significance

The initiative marks a shift from generic extension services to data-driven, farmer-specific digital advisories, potentially improving productivity, incomes and risk resilience.