How Basmati in India is reaping the rewards of research

Source: The post is based on the article “How Basmati in India is reaping the rewards of research” published in Indian Express on 18th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture– Marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints & issues of buffer stocks and food security

News: The article discusses the evolution of basmati rice in India. Scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute developed new varieties of basmati, boosting its quality and export value(from $200-250 million to $4.7-4.8 billion, in the past three decades). These varieties increased yield, resisted diseases, and matured faster. However, basmati farmers face market risks and export policies.

How did Basmati rice evolve in India?

Traditional Varieties: Until the late 1980s, farmers cultivated traditional basmati types that had tall plants, low yields, and required about 155-160 days to mature.

Pusa Basmati-1 (PB-1): Released in 1989, PB-1 increased yields to 25-26 quintals per acre and matured in 135-140 days. By the turn of the century, it accounted for roughly 60% of India’s basmati exports which reached 0.6-0.7 mt.

Pusa Basmati-1121 (PB-1121): Introduced in 2003, its distinctive quality was the long grain that elongated significantly when cooked. Between 2001-02 and 2013-14, basmati rice exports surged from 0.7 mt to 3.7 mt, with PB-1121 contributing over 70%.

Pusa Basmati-1509 (PB-1509): Unveiled in 2013, it matured in just 115-120 days, allowing farmers to plant and harvest an additional crop within the year.

Disease Resistance: In recent years, IARI scientists developed varieties with in-built resistance against bacterial blight and rice blast fungal disease, reducing the need for chemical treatments and maintaining the premium value of Indian basmati in global markets.

How are scientists combatting diseases in Basmati?

Focus on Yield Preservation: IARI scientists are working on maintaining the yield gains of improved basmati varieties by infusing them with disease-resistant genes.

Combatting Bacterial Leaf Blight: PB-1121 became susceptible to bacterial leaf blight. Scientists are now transferring genes from resistant landrace cultivars and wild paddy relatives to control this.

Employing Marker-Assisted Selection: Through this method, disease-resistant genes are identified. This technique has been used to pinpoint genes that can combat bacterial blight and rice blast fungal disease.

Introduction of Resistant Varieties: In 2021, the IARI unveiled Pusa Basmati-1885 and Pusa Basmati-1847. These varieties are designed versions of PB-1121 and PB-1509 with in-built resistance to major diseases.

Use of Resistant Genes: These new strains incorporate genes (like Xa21, xa13, Pi2, and Pi54 ) from wild rice species and traditional indica landraces, ensuring protection against predominant diseases.

What challenges do Basmati growers face?

No Minimum Support Price: Unlike other crops, basmati paddy doesn’t have a fixed minimum support price (MSP).

Dependency on Exports: Most basmati rice is for export, with only a small portion directed towards the domestic market.

Fluctuating Market Prices: Basmati grain yields are about 25 quintals per acre, only slightly less than the 30 quintals for regular non-basmati varieties. Yet, basmati farmers sell at a market price of Rs 3,000/quintal, contrasting with the Rs 2,203 MSP for Grade A non-basmati paddy.

Government Policies: Basmati growers are heavily impacted by changes in government policies regarding exports. For instance, the recent restriction disallowing basmati shipments priced below $1,200 per tonne poses a new challenge.