Basmati Growers Association warns quarters over declining trend

Basmati Growers Association (BGA) has warned of declining trend in output of extra long grain and aromatic basmati rice if quarters concerned failed to take drastic measures for introduction of high yielding varieties, minimising post-harvest losses, focusing on value addition as well as removing hurdles in its trademark registration.
At present production level, Pakistan’s basmati export potential stands at $4 billion, while we hardly touch one billion dollar mark, said Hamid Malhi President BGA, while talking to members of Agriculture Journalist Association (AJA) at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday. Among others, Munawar Hasan, President AJA, Sibghat Ullah Vice President, Rana Fawad Secretary General, Farooq Bajwa and Amin Chatha spoke on the occasion. Instead of increasing output of basmati rice, Malhi said, its production has seen stagnation for last several years due to multiple factors and it is feared that it would start reducing gradually if corrective measures are not taken. He added that stagnant prices since 2008 have also resulted in low interest of farmers in its cultivation. He expressed fear that downward trend was also feared in 2012-13. BGA president said basmati rice is part and parcel of our heritage and has a potential to become a high value asset for the national economy. However, he lamented, we did nothing for adding value to this produce with a view to harnessing its optimal utilisation.
Being third biggest rice exporter, he observed, we in fact under-utilising our overall Basmati rice sector as production ranges between 2-2.6 million tons and we export around one million tons. In comparison, he added, there has been considerable increase in India’s production and export lately. He said extra long grain super basmati was the only available variety that has been introduced since 1996. He said no other new high yielding extra long grain variety of basmati could be introduced by public sector institutions. Super basmati rice is being cultivated at over 95 per cent area and this variety could be susceptible to diseases and pest attack. He said major threats in this regard to basmati crop were bacterial leaf blight, aphids, stem borer leaf folder and paddy blast. Comparing produce of India and Pakistan, Malhi said basmati growing areas in Punjab comprised of 15 districts where 90 per cent basmati was produced. In contrast, he added, only four per cent basmati is produced in India (Punjab) and rest is produced in what he called the non-basmati areas. Regarding export front, he termed bulk sales as one of the biggest hurdles in augmenting export volume, saying retail marketing should be given priority by giving incentives for developing brands basmati. He said registration of geographical indication of basmati should also be pushed besides its trademark registration. He said Pakistan should enhance trade ties with India, but basmati exports should not be allowed as they would be against the interest of Pakistan.