India designated ‘Country of the Year’ at Germany’s BIOFACH 2026

India has been designated as the ‘Country of the Year’ at BIOFACH 2026, the world’s leading trade fair for organic products, held from February 10 to 13 in Nuremberg, Germany. The recognition highlights India’s growing global footprint in the organic agriculture sector.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) spearheaded India’s participation at the prestigious event, showcasing a prominent and high-impact presence. The India Pavilion featured exhibitors from more than 20 States and Union Territories, reflecting the country’s rich agricultural diversity and regional strengths.

Participating states and UTs included Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, among others.

A major highlight of the pavilion was the presentation of India’s heritage rice varieties. Five GI-tagged rice varieties were served to visitors, namely:

• Indrayani rice (Maharashtra)
• Navara rice (Kerala)
• Gobindbhog rice (West Bengal)
• Red rice (Uttarakhand)
• Chak Hao (Black rice) (Manipur)

The initiative aimed to promote India’s traditional and geographically distinctive organic produce in international markets.