Basmati rice favoured by exporters to be replaced by ‘improved’ variety
The new variety will require much less agrochemicals and will save farmers as much as ₹3,000 per acreon pesticides, said an official India exports some ₹40,000 crore worth of basmati every year to North America, Europe and the Middle East. (AFP)
PUSA1121, a popular variety of basmati rice known for its aroma and long grains, and favoured by exporters, will no longer be recommended by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, a top official said. The unit of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) would instead promote a new and improved variety of the aromatic rice labelled PUSA1885.
“PUSA1885 is the new alternative to PUSA1121 as all its characteristics such as aroma, grain length, off white colour and best cooking results have been retained while adding resistance to the pest attacks,” IARI director A K Singh said.
The new variety will require much less agrochemicals and will save farmers as much as ₹3,000 per acreon pesticides, while the yield will be four to seven quintals more, he added. The yield of PUSA1121, introduced in 2003, typically ranges between 18-20 quintals per acre.
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