Punjab’s rice exporters want Centre to push aromatic basmati rice over water-guzzling paddy
In a letter to Finance Commission Chairperson Arvind Panagariya, the millers and exporters association emphasized that enhancing fund allocation should focus on conserving natural resources and boosting farmers’ incomes. Ashok Sethi, the association’s director, highlighted that Punjab’s basmati rice, grown on 15 lakh acres annually, is crucial for farmers due to its high returns and lower water usage. Despite its economic significance, frequent changes in export policies are challenging. The Central government is urged to establish a stable export policy to support this vital industry.
In its letter to Chairperson of the Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya, the millers and exporters association pointed out that saving natural resources and improving farmers’ income should be the aim of policy perspectives arising from the enhanced allocation of funds.
A team from the 16th Finance Commission recently visited Punjab and held meetings with various stakeholders.
Ashok Sethi, the association’s director, said basmati rice is Punjab’s heritage produce, cultivated in the riverine belt of the State, which has ideal soil, climate, and environmental conditions. The aromatic rice is a farmers’ mainstay that gives handsome returns, and the Central government should therefore take steps to promote its cultivation.
“Punjab grows basmati rice on about 15 lakh acres of land annually. However, the Government of India keeps on tinkering with the export policy of basmati, putting the basmati industry and growers in a difficult situation. Since basmati rice is not part of the Public Distribution System in the country, it is therefore beyond understanding as to why the Central government should be placing unnecessary conditions in the smooth export of this aromatic rice. The Central government should make long-term policy with proper global market perspective for the smooth export of basmati rice,” Mr. Sethi said.
Basmati rice usually fetches higher returns, requires less water, and being a short duration variety of rice, it can be sown late — these factors attract farmers in Punjab and neighbouring Haryana to sow the premium rice variety. Both States account for over 70% of the country’s output of the aromatic, long-grain staple.
In Punjab, the water table has fallen to 600-700 feet, and 70% of the State’s blocks are in dark zones (areas in which groundwater depletion exceeds the rate of recharging). “More than 78% of our 150 blocks are in the extreme dark zone due to depletion of groundwater table,” Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently stated.
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