Hooda asks for lifting export ban on PUSA-1121 variety

Chandigarh, Aug 10 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has demanded the Union government immediately lift the ban on export of PUSA 1121 variety of paddy.

Mr Hooda has separately urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath to lift the ban on export of this variety of paddy.

He has also written letters to this effect to the Prime Minister and both the Union Ministers.

In his letters, Mr Hooda had stated that PUSA 1121 has been categorised as super-fine category but the character of this variety are similar to basmati group of varieties. The Union Ministry of Agriculture had also recommended this variety be notified under basmati group of varieties.

Mr Hooda has informed the Prime Minister that an area of two lakh hectares has been covered under PUSA 112 variety in Haryana during the current Kharif season and a production of six-seven lakh metric tonnes of paddy of this variety was expected in the state. He has informed the Prime Minister that PUSA 1121 variety is mainly exported on premium to Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

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