The Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hussan Mir, told reporters here today that with the fixing of new export standards for the uncooked Basmati at 6.61 mm length and 3.5 mm width against the earlier stipulated standards of minimum length of 7mm, the growers of
Mir said Basmati Rice of R.S. Pura is widely known for its taste and aroma. However, its export outside the country was not so far possible because the standard fixed for export by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, stipulated a minimum length of uncooked Basmati Rice to be 7 mm, where as the locally grown Basmati-370 and Ranbir Basmati types are slightly smaller in length. He said despite the fact that the varieties here possess all other parameters and attributes of Basmati rice as described by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture Government of India, Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) and other concerned international organizations, Jammu basmati was not permissible for export has it fall short of the earlier length parameters. “In fact the taste and aroma of above mentioned varieties of Bsmati is comparable with the best in the world and is unmatched by many of the long grained basmati rice varieties presently being exported” he added.
The Minister informed that the State government took up the matter with the Government of India by and as a result of sustained efforts the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Government of India notified fresh export standards. He said that as per new standards for export it shall be more than 6.6 mm of length and ratio of length to breadth of the grain to be more than 3.5. This implies that Basmati-370 and Rranbir basmati varieties grown in
He further stated that to promote basmati cultivation and give a boost to the income of basmati growers, the Department of Agriculture is also preparing a project report for promotion of indigenous basmati rice in R.S. Pura and surrounding areas, in collaboration with other concerned departments as instructed by the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah. The focus of the project shall be on improving the quality, productivity and production of indigenous variety of basmati rice by promoting use of quality seeds, maintenance of pure nucleus seed stock at Research Station, augmentation of such seed at Seed Multiplication Farms and Seed Villages, popularization of best agronomic practices, awareness programmes including, training camps, seminars and melas, boost to irrigation potential and area expansion programmes. Irrigation facilities and the post harvest management and marketing network shall also be strengthened under the project, he added.
He said the department is also contemplating to hold an Agri Buyer-Seller meet in order to promote linkages in the marketing of basmati rice and facilitating higher returns for their produce to the basmati growers of the region. The event is proposed to be held in the collaboration with APEDA and the government and private stake holders at the state and national level.
Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla, Minister for Technical and Medical Education, R.S. Chib, Minister of State for Agriculture, Javed Ahmed Dar, Vice Chairman Kissan Welfare Advisory Board, Rash Pal Singh, Director Agriculture, Ajay Khajuria, Joint Director Information, Soujanya Sharma, Deputy Director Information, Suram Chand Sharma and other senior officers from Agriculture and allied departments were present on the occasion.
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