India declares Super Basmati exportable

New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) India has declared Super Basmati, developed by Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana as eligible to be exported as Basmati as it carries all attributes of another Indian variety - Pusa Basmati-1 which has been widely accepted the world over.

Conceding the long-pending demand of the exporters, the Commerce Ministry amended the Basmati Rice (Quality Control and Inspection) Rules, 2003 declaring''Super Basmati as approved 'evolved Basmati' under this act for the purpose of export''.

The Ministry has issued notification on May 24 amending Basmati Rice (Quality Control and Inspection) (Amendment) Rules, 2006.

Since 'Super Basmati' is developed from seeds sourced from Pakistan and perfected in Punjab's fields for three years, it is poised to snatch a sizable share from the Pakistan's Super Basmati which hitherto had been monopolising the International market.

Now, Super Basmati variety has been scientifically purified which is being grown in Punjab, Haryana, Western UP and Uttranchal under the name of "Shabnam".

Super Basmati is a hybrid like Pusa Basmati bred to give high yieids and is a non-lodging semi dwarf variety. It also carries special traits of tradtional Basmati like aroma, non-stickiness and produces elongated rice grains upon cooking. These are found in traditional varieties like Taraori, Dehraduni or Basmati 370.

Super always commands a better price in overseas markets over other varieties of Basmati. Taking the benefit of the 'Super' tag, Pakistan was able to export about 7 lakh tonnes annually.

UNI JSS/BBS ARB BST1800