Basmati export zone a good point to begin
M. S. Bajwa
FOR diversifying from the rice- wheat cropping system there is a suggestion for setting up an "agri-export zone" for basmati rice in Punjab. However, some oppose the idea on the notion that rice, even basmati, should not be promoted, as it is a water-intensive crop. It has to be realised that since this aromatic rice, basmati, has a lot of export potential if the produce can meet the desired quality standards, the creation of a distinct zone for its cultivation and export is a step in the right direction.

Make diversification more specific
Bhagwan Dass
THE Punjab Government has drawn up a new plan for taking out 10 lakh hectares from the wheat-paddy rotation in the next five years. The plan envisages increasing the area under maize, pulses, barley and sunflower. If not implemented keeping in view ground realities, it might turn out to be old wine in new bottle. An almost similar plan was prepared earlier by former PAU Vice-Chancellor G. S. Kalkat, which collapsed due to inherent weaknesses.

• GRAPHIC: KHARIF FOODGRAIN PRODUCTION

Farm operations for October
Sow berseem in first week, pea mid-month
OILSEEDS
— For raya use varieties PBR-91, RL-1359, RLM-619 under irrigated conditions and PBR-97 under rainfed conditions. The optimum period for sowing raya is the first fortnight of October. Gobhi sarson (GSL-1, GSL-2, PGSH-51) should be sown from October 10 to end of October. African sarson PC-5 can also be sown during this month.

Basmati export zone a good point to begin
M. S. Bajwa

FOR diversifying from the rice- wheat cropping system there is a suggestion for setting up an "agri-export zone" for basmati rice in Punjab. However, some oppose the idea on the notion that rice, even basmati, should not be promoted, as it is a water-intensive crop. It has to be realised that since this aromatic rice, basmati, has a lot of export potential if the produce can meet the desired quality standards, the creation of a distinct zone for its cultivation and export is a step in the right direction.

The diversion of some areas from non-basmati rice (grown during early June to October) to traditional aromatic basmati (grown during mid/end of July to October-end) in this zone can be expected to decrease groundwater use. In fact, due to the favourable agro-climatic conditions (mainly low temperature during the ripening period) in northern parts of Punjab this zone should have a focused agenda to produce export-quality aromatic basmati rice.

In this basmati-specific zone, it will be possible to maintain quality of the produce by giving due consideration to the selection of an export-oriented basmati variety, soil suitability for basmati cultivation, quality irrigation water, pest (stem borer, foot rot smut, leaf miner, etc.) problems and their management, implementation of demand-driven quality control measures, remunerative marketing system (promotion, intelligence, favourable price structure), cost-effective and eco-friendly production for profit maximisation and conservation of the agro-ecosystem, etc. The involvement of public and private organisations will be essential.

To maintain purity/quality, it should be ensured that farmers in this zone grow only the identified (demand-driven) aromatic basmati rice and not any other variety. Separate zones may be created for different kinds of high-yielding non-aromatic Pusa-Basmati or other aromatic/ non- aromatic varieties. The improved varieties (e.g. Pusa-Basmati) may give a higher yield but at the cost of the exquisite aroma of the traditional basmati-rice. Variety identity must be ensured even within different aromatic basmati varieties (e.g. Basmati-370, Basmati-385, etc.).

Literature tells us that the quality of basmati (aroma in particular) has much to do with the soil and agro-climatic conditions of the zones under which the crop is grown. The fragrance in the traditional basmati has been reported to be due to the presence of a large number of aromatic compounds (2-actyl-l-pyrroline dominates, and many others) which are formed initially in the plant when it flowers, then get transferred to the grains, where they remain preserved if temperatures remain cool during the ripening stage. The formation of aromatic compounds in basmati rice is controlled by a specific genetic (DNA) character, which gets expressed only under specific ago-climatic conditions.

The delineation of a geographical area (agro-climatic zone) for growing a specific basmati-rice variety and ethical processing and branding will prevent growers, traders and companies from projecting other aromatic varieties as basmati.

Pakistan (the main competitor for Indian basmati in the global market), which is earning huge amounts of foreign exchange by exporting quality aromatic basmati rice, is reported to have developed a transparent system about the variety of basmati being grown, and hence, the buyers know what they are purchasing. We in Punjab (India) also have the advantage of growing the same traditional basmati rice, but because of our inability to follow quality standards and rampant mixing and adulteration, have almost lost the confidence of buyers in the global market.

To achieve success in sustaining profitability from basmati, quality standards must be properly (even strictly) adopted by the farmers, traders and all others at every stage from seeding, harvesting, post-harvest handling to marketing. Foreign buyers will not be willing to shell out a huge premium for this unique rice without being certain that they will get what they pay for. Therefore, the government policies concerning cost-effective and eco-efficient production, marketing, quality control, etc., have to be modified (if required), effectively implemented and rigorously monitored in the proposed zone right from different stages of production till the product reaches the consumer.

Adulteration of grains of genuine basmati with non-basmati rice or other cheaper hybrid varieties is damaging the credibility of Punjab basmati. Aromatic rice should have about 7 mm length and 2.5 mm breadth; when cooked the grains elongate (70-120 per cent over the pre-cooked grain) more than other varieties; should not gel and its amylose content should be from 24-32 per cent. Traders, however, consider all varieties having grain length above 6 mm as typical basmati and pool grains of all such varieties, mill them together and market as one grade, which when exposed creates a very bad impact in the global market. In fact, the quality conscious global markets (UK in particular) are already carrying out DNA finger-printing to know the credibility of the branding of the variety and the kind of adulteration materials (like other rice varieties) used. Therefore, we must get out of the habit of adulterating, otherwise Punjab basmati rice will not be able to compete in the quality-conscious global market, which demands that the farmers and industry working on basmati rice must ensure that quality standards are not compromised at any stage.

There are hardly any committed agencies in Punjab that produce and supply adequate quantities of good-quality basmati seed. In general, the seed is spread predominantly through farmer-to-farmer movement, resulting in deterioration of purity. The government must ensure seed replacement at least once in three years by growers and breeders to identify and remove off-types to sustain seed quality. A regular basmati rice seed production and supply system should be developed in the identified zone.

Site-specifically recommended soil-water-fertilizer-pest-crop management systems for basmati rice production must be efficiently followed for obtaining high productivity and profitability. Efficient use of fertilisers is crucial. Basmati is highly susceptible to stem borer and leaf folder, for the control of which soil or foliar (spray) application of highly toxic insecticides has to be made. The effect of these insecticides (particularly when applied in the soil) is always rather severe on the eco-system. Plant breeders and entomologists have to play a significant role in recommending eco-efficient pest control technologies in the zone identified.

High-quality aromatic basmati has traditionally been exported from India to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, European Union countries and the USA. We must explore additional international export markets through effective market-intelligence networks (which must be established in this zone). We need to identify our potential competitors (in addition to Pakistan) in the basmati global market and effectively compete with them by creating an efficient market promotion system.

Setting up state-of-the-art basmati-specific post-harvest handling, quality control and marketing systems and infrastructure (drying, grading, packing, procurement , storage, transportation, etc.) will be essential in the proposed zone. The problems of transportation to different domestic markets and ports can be tackled through effective state policies like subsidised transport.

Farmers will have to be intensively trained about various aspects of producing quality basmati, marketing and other aspects so that the produce (raw or processed) may be able to compete in the global market, particularly after the removal of the quantitative restrictions under the WTO in December, 2004.

Make diversification more specific
Bhagwan Dass

THE Punjab Government has drawn up a new plan for taking out 10 lakh hectares from the wheat-paddy rotation in the next five years. The plan envisages increasing the area under maize, pulses, barley and sunflower. If not implemented keeping in view ground realities, it might turn out to be old wine in new bottle. An almost similar plan was prepared earlier by former PAU Vice-Chancellor G. S. Kalkat, which collapsed due to inherent weaknesses.

Although the prospect of shifting away from the rotation in the absence of equally remunerative crop cycles is bleak, the achievement will depend on how practically and wisely the government proceeds in the matter. It would be more appropriate to initially switch over from paddy to basmati cultivation. The area under cultivation of basmati varieties is less than 5 per cent in Punjab as against more than 40 per cent in Haryana. With the development of new varieties like Pusa Sugandh-2 and Pusa Sugandh-3 by the Indian Agriculture Research Institute the prospects of basmati cultivation have brightened. These new varieties are high yielding and of short duration as compared to the existing ones. The new varieties give more returns even than the existing Pusa Basmati-l, the world’s first dwarf variety. Not only that, the new varieties also have more aroma. They are more acceptable to consumers and have substantial potential for export. The fertiliser and water requirements of these varieties are far less than the PR and Pusa 44 varieties.

As regards maize, the duration of protandry and silk receptivity being longer in the rabi season, its cultivation is more paying as a winter crop. There is a good scope for augmenting the area in the kandi belt. Hybrids will be more successful. Introduction of kabli gram can add both to the area and production of pulses. The newly developed varieties of kabli gram, Pusa 1088 and Pusa 1053, have a potential of yielding up to 5.5 and 4.5 tonnes, respectively. Their profitability exceeds even that of wheat.

The adoption of durum wheat varieties as provided in the plan may not go well because of their low yield. It was tried in the past and abandoned. Instead, fine-grain varieties like Ganga and Kundan should be sown in the identified areas. Although recommended for eastern India, the trials of Ganga in the North have faired well. These varieties with a stable yield, possessed with international protein standards, have export potential. They can be grown for NRIs’ consumption. Even in the Indian market its flour is sold from Rs14 to Rs15 a kg. Cultivation of these varieties will also eliminate the dangers and risks apprehended from a single variety like PBW-343, occupying a major area of up to 90 per cent.

Zones for various crops, including vegetables, dhania, mantha and medicinal crops, should be separately earmarked after ensuring the marketing arrangements and other financial and input needs of growers.

The implementation of the programme in a proper way along with research breakthroughs can lead to diversifying the cropping pattern. It should be executed in a phased manner to keep off the ills of the predominant rice-wheat rotation.