Rain delay no dampener for basmati

NEW DELHI: Lesser monsoon rains have not impacted the sowing of the premium basmati rice in Punjab and Haryana, and an increase in acreage in the key producing states indicates higher output and export of the aromatic long grain this year.

Less rains in the last month have not impacted but benefited sowing of basmati rice in Punjab, Haryana and some parts in Uttar Pradesh because the premium variety requires lesser water, rice exporter and past president of All India Rice Exporters Association Vijay Sethia said. Moreover, basmati rice is largely sown in July unlike other traditional rice strains.

The sowing operation is now in full-swing in two major basmati-growing states, Mr Sethia said, adding that Punjab and Haryana governments have estimated a sharp rise in the acreage of the rice this year. India had produced about 3 million tonnes of premium basmati rice in 2007-08 of which 2 million tonnes were exported according to industry estimates.