Choose varieties suitable for your region's climate. Consider factors like yield potential, disease resistance, and market demand. Popular options include IR64 (high yield), Basmati 1121 (aromatic), and hybrid varieties.

Purchase seeds from authorized dealers or agricultural extension centers. Certified seeds have higher germination rates and are free from seed-borne diseases. For nursery plantation, you'll need 5-7 kg of seeds per acre.

Create a salt solution by adding 200g of salt to 10 liters of water. Drop seeds into the solution and stir. The good seeds will sink while the immature or damaged seeds will float. Remove and discard all floating seeds.

After cleaning, soak seeds in water for 24 hours. Drain excess water and wrap seeds in moist gunny bags. Keep in a warm, dark place for 24-48 hours until small white shoots appear (1-2mm long).

Select a level area close to a water source. Plough the soil 2-3 times to a fine tilth. Create slightly raised beds (10-15cm) with good drainage. For every acre of main field, prepare 100 square meters of nursery area.

Apply 100-150kg of well-decomposed farmyard manure per 100 square meters of nursery area. Mix thoroughly with the soil during the final ploughing to improve soil fertility and structure.

Spread pre-sprouted seeds evenly on the nursery bed. Maintain a thin water layer (1-2cm) for the first 5-7 days. Water the nursery beds twice daily - morning and evening - to maintain moisture levels.

Seedlings are ready for transplanting when they are 20-25 days old (15-20cm tall with 4-5 leaves). Gently uproot seedlings, bundle them in groups of 50-100. Transplant within 30 minutes of uprooting, maintaining 20cm row-to-row and 15cm plant-to-plant spacing.

After transplanting, maintain a shallow water level (2-3cm) for the first 7-10 days to help seedlings establish. Increase to 5cm after tillering stage (30-45 days after transplanting). Drain the field 7-10 days before harvesting.

Apply fertilizers in three stages:
1. Basal application (before transplanting): Full dose of DAP (100kg/acre) and half dose of potash (25kg/acre)
2. Tillering stage (25-30 days): Half of urea (50kg/acre)
3. Panicle initiation (45-60 days): Remaining urea (50kg/acre) and potash (25kg/acre)

Start weeding 15 days after transplanting using a rotary weeder. This buries weeds into the soil where they decompose and act as green manure. Repeat weeding every 10-12 days until canopy closure (when plants grow dense enough to shade out weeds).

Inspect fields weekly for pests like Brown Plant Hopper (BPH), stem borers, leaf folders, and diseases like blast and blight. Use neem oil (5ml/liter) or approved biopesticides as a preventive measure. For export-grade rice, minimize chemical pesticide use and maintain proper records of any applications.

Harvest when 80-90% of the grains in the panicle have turned golden yellow or straw-colored. The grains should feel hard when pressed between teeth. This usually occurs 30-35 days after flowering or 110-130 days after transplanting, depending on the variety.

Drain the field 7-10 days before harvesting. Use either manual harvesting with sickles or mechanical reapers. For manual harvesting, cut the stalks 15-20cm above ground level. For mechanical harvesting, adjust the cutter bar height properly to minimize grain losses.

Spread harvested paddy on clean concrete floors or tarpaulins in thin layers (3-5cm thick). Dry under the sun for 2-3 days, turning the grains every 2-3 hours to ensure uniform drying. The final moisture content should be 12-14% for safe storage. Test by biting the grain - it should break with a clean snap.

Pack dried paddy in clean jute bags (50kg capacity). Store bags on wooden pallets at least 30cm above floor and 60cm away from walls to prevent moisture absorption. The storage area should be clean, dry, well-ventilated, and protected from rodents and insects. Monitor for pests and moisture regularly.

Identify and partner with a quality rice mill in your area that has modern equipment for de-husking and polishing. Modern mills with rubber roll hullers reduce grain breakage and improve recovery rates. Aim for mills with color sorters for export-grade quality.

After milling, ensure the rice is sorted for uniform grain length. Export-grade rice typically requires less than 5% broken grains. Use gravity separators and color sorters to remove impurities, discolored grains, and foreign matter. This improves visual appeal and market value.

Use food-grade, moisture-proof packaging materials. For retail exports, 1-5kg laminated bags with ziplock or vacuum sealing are preferred. For wholesale, 25kg bags are standard. Ensure packaging includes proper labeling with production date, batch number, and storage instructions.

Store processed rice in a clean, dry, and pest-free environment with controlled temperature (below 15°C) and humidity (below 65%). This prevents moisture reabsorption, insect infestation, and maintains grain quality until export shipment.

Send samples to an NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited lab for testing pesticide residues, heavy metals, and aflatoxins. Different markets have different Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), with EU having the strictest standards. Maintain proper documentation of test results.

Create labels that comply with the destination country's requirements. Include nutritional information, country of origin, harvest date, expiry date, net weight, storage instructions, and traceability information. For EU markets, allergen information and metric measurements are mandatory.

Different markets have specific requirements. For example, authentic Basmati requires a minimum grain length of 6.61mm, distinct fragrance, and elongation ratio of over 1.7 when cooked. Other varieties have different specifications. Document and adhere to the exact specifications requested by your buyers.

Develop a traceability system that tracks each batch from field to export. Record details like field location, planting date, inputs used, harvest date, processing date, and test results. This information is increasingly required by importers and helps in quickly addressing any quality issues.

Register with your country's agricultural export promotion agency (APEDA in India). This registration is essential for legally exporting agricultural products and accessing government support schemes, trade fairs, and buyer-seller meets. The registration needs to be renewed periodically.

Apply for an Import Export Code (IEC) from your country's commerce ministry or equivalent authority. This unique 10-digit code is mandatory for all export-import transactions. The application requires business registration documents, bank account details, and address proof.

Obtain food safety certification (FSSAI in India) that ensures your rice meets safety standards. For each export consignment, apply for a phytosanitary certificate from the plant quarantine department, which confirms the rice is free from pests and diseases. Get fumigation certificates if required by the importing country.

Select and partner with an experienced freight forwarder who specializes in agricultural exports. They will handle customs documentation, shipping arrangements, container booking, and logistics. Choose companies with experience in your target export markets and good relationships with shipping lines.

Develop a unique brand identity with a compelling story about your farm, farming practices, and rice quality. Create professional packaging with a memorable logo and consistent design. If applicable, highlight organic certification, sustainability practices, or regional specialties that add value.

Create professional profiles on international B2B platforms like Alibaba, IndiaMart, or region-specific platforms. Include high-quality images, detailed product specifications, minimum order quantities, and pricing information. Respond promptly to inquiries and maintain your profile with updated information.

Participate in international food and agriculture trade shows, either in person or virtually. These events provide opportunities to showcase your products, meet potential buyers, and understand market trends. Prepare professional product presentations, samples, and business cards for these events.

When finalizing deals with international buyers, use secure payment methods like Letters of Credit (L/C) that protect both parties. Clearly define terms regarding quality specifications, delivery timelines, payment schedules, and dispute resolution in your contracts. Consider working with an international trade lawyer for your first few contracts.