Punjab will be the first State to commence cultivation of new short duration variety of Basmati rice from the next Kharif season, expected to give boost to export potential of aromatic rice from the country.

Developed by scientists of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), under the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the new variety referred as ‘PUSA Basmati 1509’ takes about 115-120 days to mature against 145-150 days for ‘PUSA 1121’, which constitute a major chunk of India’s aromatic long grain rice exports. Besides, the new

variety does not shatter in case of any delay in harvesting and has a superior grain quality.

“Following the meeting of All-India Rice Workers Group, which consist of rice breeders and other concerned officials, in April, the Ministry will notify the variety ‘1509’ as Basmati,” said an Agriculture Ministry official.

“Because of lesser duration of crop, the new variety would help farmers in saving at least 5-6 irrigations and ensure better yield,” said KV Prabhu, Head, Division of Genetics, IARI. Prabhu said the short duration variety would help Punjab farmers in reducing the ground water usage significantly by using monsoon rains.

In Punjab and Haryana, groundwater has depleted to alarming level because of excessive usage in growing paddy and wheat. This has forced the two States to ban usage of ground water in the summer month of June for rice sowing so that monsoon rains could be used in July.

Exporters said the new variety are definitely going to replace large areas under PUSA 1121, which has more than 70 per cent share in India’s Basmati rice exports market.

During the trial phase, yield-wise, ‘1509’ variety has given around 6.5 tonne per hectare against around 4.5 and 2.5 tonne reported for the widely grown 1121 and traditional Basmati varieties respectively.

“Through the field trial, we have witnessed that new variety gives better grain quality and yield by using less water which would help the country in increasing exports,” Vijay Setia, former president, All-India Rice Exporters Association and leading exporter of Basmati rice said.

India’s Basmati rice export is set to cross `16,000 crore-mark during current fiscal. The country shipped aromatic and long grained rice worth `15,450 crore during 2011-12. PUSA Basmati 1121 — also developed by IARI - was released for commercial cultivation in 2003.