Pawan Kumar Sharma
Basmati-370 is a rice variety that has a special aroma and flavor, along with fine quality long grain, cultivated in the R.S.Pura and adjoining villages in Jammu region, which fetches more than double or even sometime triple the price of non-basmati rice varieties. With the passage of time, it has been realized that the economic yield of basmati has significantly decreased compared to alternative varieties. Although for decades together, Jammu had been able to make a dent in the basmati exports and capitalize on this unique commodity, but over the last 7-8 years basmati production has suffered from low yields and quality problems, but it is still considered commanding a premium price. The consumers may or may not like the aroma, taste or length of the grain of Basmati-370 but it has certainly affected the livelihoods of thousands of basmati rice growers inspite of the fact that the exports of R.S.Pura basmati has decreased considerably.
There was an era when Basmati-370 used to fetch maximum price when it was allowed for exports from the state. However, the current scenario is that there are very few players now left in the local market who procure basmati for exports.
Jammu basmati exports used to be half of non-basmati exports in terms of tonnage, but with the same economic value, the balance has now shifted so that basmati exports are now around one-quarter of other varieties in terms of export volume and value, respectively.
The real question, however, is whether to continue producing new rice varieties, or just concentrate on a particular niche.
Growers must choose between cultivation of high-yield crops that may have little or no aroma, or stick to a particular variety with good aroma and quality to achieve similar or (hopefully) better returns.
Basmati rice has a lower yield compared to alternative varieties, but this is more than offset by premium price it commands. Although for decades Jammu has been able to capitalize on this unique commodity, over the last 7-8 years basmati production has suffered from low yields and quality problems.
Jammu should register basmati rice to maximize trade gains
New pest-resistant varieties of basmati have not been introduced due to inadequate support for research and development. At the same time, the pressure to generate greater revenue has focused attention on high-yield rice varieties, whose cultivation has infringed on the basmati heartland of Punjab.
Declining cultivated areas and the relatively low yield of a niche commodity like basmati has thus brought local rice producers to a crossroads.
The aroma of basmati rice is unique to Jammu which could therefore be officially registered as basmati aroma linked to the specific geographic location to maximize gains from the product’s high value in global markets.
But registration alone may not be enough for Jammu basmati to regain its share of the international rice trade. Segregation of pure lines of Basmati, developing better varieties, improving farming practices, refining processing techniques, and introducing brand marketing are also needed. Figuring out the optimal use of scarce water resources is likewise crucial. The agriculture scientists of SKUAST-Jammu believe it as a niche area for research and development.
How to secure a bright future for Jammu basmati ?
A recent workshop in SKUAST-Jammu was held to support the future of Jammu basmati rice in the light of the challenges mentioned above. BEDF is providing technical assistance to analyze the whole production and value chain – from seed varieties to export markets.
Many years of free market policies implemented by the government, coupled with the removal of most subsidies, has made basmati resilient to tough competition from other producers.
While farmers still consider most of the subsidized competition from other countries as unfair, their belief in the superior appeal of basmati’s fragrance makes them confident about the grain’s long-term prospects and its ability to compete against other varieties in international markets.
Choudhary Dev Raj a basmati grower who attended the workshop, believes the future of basmati is bright, although it needs some intelligent targeted interventions to recover lost ground. Among these interventions would be more strenuous efforts to preserve the special quality of basmati and to highlight its purity and unique aroma in marketing campaigns.
Basmati needs better farming methods, marketing
Indeed, the international demand for aromatic rice remains strong even in the face of stiff competition from non-aromatic varieties, according to a basmati processor and exporter.
If growers can improve farming and harvesting methods in such a way that produce of consistent quality can be harvested, international buyers will continue to pay the premium.
This assessment is particularly encouraging when all too often farming lobbies clamour for protection from competition and demand state subsidies-despite basmati’s higher value-or price controls.
The workshop was part of an ongoing study on Jammu basmati as well as alternative rice varieties to draw lessons for the future, and help the product regain its competitiveness in international markets.
Basmati is a key part of Jammu’s culture, as well as its rural economy. With a bit more attention to quality, it can take its rightful place in world markets.
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