New Delhi, Jun 20 (KNN) The Indian government has permitted the export of 2,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice to Malawi and Zimbabwe, two nations in southern Africa, according to a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

The rice shipments, approved to help meet the food security needs of the two countries, will be handled through the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), a multi-state cooperative society.

Malawi, a landlocked nation in southeastern Africa, and Zimbabwe, located in southern Africa, are each authorized to receive 1,000 tonnes of rice under this special export allowance.

"Exports of non-basmati white rice to Malawi and Zimbabwe through NCEL is notified," stated the DGFT announcement.

This exemption comes despite an ongoing ban on non-basmati white rice exports, imposed on July 20, 2023, to bolster domestic supplies within India.

However, the government has made exceptions by granting targeted export approvals to certain nations upon request to address their food security requirements.

India has previously extended similar rice export authorisations to countries such as Nepal, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea, Malaysia, Philippines, and Seychelles.

The NCEL, tasked with facilitating these rice shipments, is a cooperative venture jointly promoted by prominent Indian cooperatives, including the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), better known as Amul, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO), and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).

(KNN Bureau)