Basmati rice exporters asked to adopt village clusters

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked rice exporters to adopt village clusters for quality seed production of Basmati varieties in order to boost export of the premium variety of rice.
In a meeting held with the members of Punjab Rice Exporters Association (PREA), Badal asked them to adopt a nearby cluster of 8-10 villages for producing quality seed of Basmati varieties like 1501, 421.
He also called for undertake vigorous efforts for the revival of traditional variety of Basmati-386, which is known for its unique aromatic fragrance and taste.
The Chief Minister said the state agriculture department along with the association can make joint efforts for the production of quality Basmati seed as this would give impetus to Basmati rice export.

Rice exporters said that with the picking up of the Basmati arrival in the coming days, the state farmers would be enormously benefited as the price is expected to touch Rs 3,000 a quintal.
The Chief Minister also promised to resolve all the pending issues of the PREA at the forum of Basmati Development Board and asked officers to fix its meeting at the earliest.
Badal also promised to take up the issue of recognition of PUSA 1121 variety of Basmati in Europe with the Union Ministry of Commerce. This has not yet been defined as approved export vareity in the European market.

He also assured them of getting the issue of levying entry tax on the Basmati varieties of PUSA and 'Sugandha' purchased from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states, thoroughly examined.