The export is permitted through National
Cooperative Exports Limited
(NCEL), the Directorate
General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification.
Though exports of non-basmati white rice have been banned since July 20,
2023 to boost domestic supply, exports
are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to certain
countries to meet their food security needs on request. Malawi is a
landlocked country in south-eastern Africa, while Zimbabwe is a South African
nation.
According to the notification, exports of 1,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice
were allowed to each of the countries. “Exports of non-basmati white rice to
Malawi and Zimbabwe though NCEL is notified,” the DGFT said. India has earlier
also allowed such exports to countries like Nepal, Cameroon, Cote D’ Ivore,
Guinea, Malaysia, Philippines, and Seychelles.
NCEL is a
multi-state cooperative society. It is jointly promoted by some of the leading
cooperative societies in the country, namely, Gujarat
Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), popularly known as AMUL, Indian
Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd
(KRIBHCO), and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
Ltd (NAFED).