Rice is a staple crop in India, and its cultivation spans the length and breadth of the country. Rice cultivation is not only an important crop to ensure food security, but also contributes heavily to the economy of the nation. It is not surprising that India is the second biggest cultivator of rice and the world’s largest exporter. Being one of the major sources of grain, India has the biggest land area in the world for the cultivation of rice. What makes rice so abundant in India is that rice is a tropical grain, and the hot and humid climate prevalent in India suits the growth of this crop.
Rice as a Kharif crop
There are many varieties of rice grown in India, which are suited for different states based on their soil conditions. Rice is mainly grown in India in areas that receive a good amount of rainfall. This is the predominant reason why rice is considered a Kharif crop because its sowing happens during the monsoon season. The cultivation area requires land use where plenty of water can be used to flood the rice fields, and this is naturally provided by either the floods or heavy rainfall. The benefit of planting rice in flooded areas of India is because the river when breaking its banks, deposits rich fertile soil onto the agricultural land, and this soil becomes so fertile that no extra fertilizer or additional use of Urea, DAP, NPK is required for good growth of the crop. Rice is also grown in irrigated areas; however, the irrigation network of India remains poor and the majority of the farmers rely heavily on a good monsoon for producing a good rice harvest. Such is the importance of rice that it is the major food source for people living in the southern and eastern states of India. Coincidentally, these are also the states receiving a high rainfall and large riverine system. There are many states in India where the land is so fertile that three rice crops can be yielded in a single year.
Lists of rice species
Given the fact that rice is so important to India’s economy, it is understandable that India grows various varieties of rice, and many of these varieties are renowned in the world for their excellent taste, aroma, and health benefits. From the world-famous basmati rice, grown in Northern regions like Dehradun, and Haryana to black rice grown in Manipur and other north-eastern states, the list of rice species is endless. Rice can also be categorized as white rice (which is a polished and completely dehusked rice), parboiled rice, brown rice, etc. They are healthier alternatives to White rice, as they have more fiber, and fewer carbohydrates and are excellent for diabetics as the glucose is released in not instant.
From the above introduction to the importance of rice, it is well understood that rice is also a big business in India for which you can find lots of different parboiled rice manufacturers. There are many big companies engaged in the manufacture, supply, and export of rice. One can always study the business profile of these companies and learn how to make money from the rice business in India. There are many companies, which entered the rice business as small players. However, with consistent effort and vision, they transformed their business operations to increase profitability. At the onset, every person looking to start a rice business and make good money out of it should study the business strategies of prominent players. The following companies are role models for every newcomer in this field.
- Mithuna Foods: It is a prestigious organization that was founded in 1996 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is a sole proprietorship company that manufactures, exports, and provides services for edible rice such as parboiled rice, Jeera rice, Kollam rice, and so on. Their products are made to meet international quality standards and are free of contamination and dirt. Customers like their high-quality parboiled rice for its rich scent and first-rate standard. Client satisfaction is ensured by rigorous quality checks.
- Sai Agrium Corporation: It is a Proprietorship-based firm which is situated in Nagpur, Maharashtra, was established in the year 2019 as the leading Retailer, Manufacturer, and Wholesaler of Basmati Rice, Organic Pulses, Broken Rice, Wheat Grains, and other products. These items are in high demand because of their high quality and low costs. Many factors contribute to their huge success, including extensive industry knowledge, timely order execution, transparent business transactions, and market-leading rates.
- Mahavira Rice Mills: Mahavir Rice Mills was established in 1985 in Assandh, Haryana's Karnal district. MRM is a rice manufacturer that exports to dozens of countries and has a large customer base. MRM has been recognized by the Indian Government as a "TWO Star Export House of India" under ISO 22000:2005, ISO 9001:2008, GMP, and HACCP certification. MRM has experienced a substantial expansion in recent years, establishing a well-known presence in the food grain business by providing very high-quality rice.
- MKB Foods Private Limited: MKB Foods Private Limited, which began operations in 2012, is a renowned manufacturer, wholesaler, and exporter of a wide range of Parboiled Rice, and other products. The nutritional value and aroma of these rice grains are preserved by using regulated packaging. These rich grains are in high demand due to their rich taste, dietary value, and starch content. The given rice grains are sourced from trustworthy and reliable industry vendors to achieve high-quality standards.
- Lakshmi Rice & Dall Mills: It is a renowned manufacturer of Parboiled Rice, Sella Basmati Rice, Brown Basmati Rice, and other products. They are from the Kurukshetra (Haryana) region, which produces the highest quality Paddy Basmati in the world. Over the years, the company has developed a reputation for producing high-quality rice. They are well-known throughout the country for obtaining top-quality paddy at competitive prices and shelling it with a machine equipped with cutting-edge technology.
- Siddhidata Trading: SIDDHIDATA TRADING has been a manufacturer and wholesaler of Broken Rice, Rice Bran, and other products since 2011. They provide high-quality items at the most competitive pricing in a timely way, ensuring that their clients' needs are met. They work hard to ensure that their valued clients are completely satisfied, which has allowed them to earn their trust and respect. The company's commitment to excellence and on-time delivery has always been at the heart of its culture and organization.
- Dhula Rice Mill Private Limited: It is a noteworthy manufacturer of rice, broken rice, and other rice products. They provide these products at a fair price and deliver them within the specified time range. They have built two rice mills to provide the highest quality rice to their customers. The company has cutting-edge processing and warehousing facilities.
If one goes through these companies, one can easily conclude that all of these companies have started on a small scale. However, factors such as reliable suppliers, quality grains, unwavering zeal to succeed, offering quality products, price sensitivity issues, and cutting-edge technology for warehousing and packaging of products are all common attributes to their success.
As a rice manufacturer, you need to ensure that your paddy must be of excellent quality, dried, and aged as per international standards. State-of-the-art machines must carry out dehusking, destoning, and cleaning, and packaging must be done in a sterile and clean environment. As a new rice manufacturer, you must be aware of your competition and be fluid to change your approach depending on the market forces.
Another important factor is brand promotion. Having excellent rice is one thing, but selling it to clients is a different thing altogether. In the markets, one must create a buzz about the product. This can be achieved through targeted marketing, brand promotion, free samples, inviting clients to visit your facility, offering discounts, etc. An online presence and digital image-building exercise are a necessity.
Another important requirement is to ensure that you have all the necessary certificates and licenses to start this business. Many government-recognized schemes enable quick licensing and processing, for new entrants. Having the requisite licenses ensures that you are meeting all necessary regulations.
Read to know more about: Basmati Rice Export Business In India
Conclusion: Rice is a staple of India and parboiled rice is produced across India and exported to the world. Given the options, the rice business is profitable as the demand for rice is never going to run out. One must read about the success stories of all the companies listed above, and also identify the areas where they failed. Critical assessment of case studies will enable you to eliminate those starting errors.
FAQs: Rice
Q. What is parboiled rice?
Ans. Parboiled rice is a sort of partly cooked rice, popular in Asian and African cultures.
Q. Do I need to soak parboiled rice before cooking?
Ans. Yes. Parboiled rice should be prepared by boiling it with a lot of water, as it takes longer to cook. The rice water is also an excellent source of starch.
Q. I do not have any money, but I have a lot of experience in this domain. Can I start a rice business?
Ans. Rice business is a low-capital business, and given your experience, you can always approach nationalized banks for a loan.
Q. Which variety of rice should I start my business with, to get quick and maximum profits?
Ans. Every business requires planning and meticulous efforts to make it profitable. So, do not plan everything with immediate gains or short-term vision. Target the demands of the potential client and position yourself accordingly.
