Why India's rice production and export strategy requires a rethink, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• India is the world's largest rice exporter since 2011-12, exporting 21.69 million tonnes in 2024-25.
• In 2024-25, India became the largest rice producer with an estimated output of 150 mt, surpassing China's 145.28 mt.
• Basmati rice exports have a higher value realization at Rs 82.9-92.3 per kg compared to non-basmati rice at Rs 34-39.2 per kg.
• Basmati paddy requires less water compared to non-basmati varieties, making it more environmentally sustainable.

Detailed Insights:

• Conventional rice cultivation involves continuous flooding, consuming approximately 5 million litres of water per acre, which translates to 3,000 litres of water exported per kg of rice.
• Promoting short-grain aromatic GI-protected rice varieties like Kalanamak, Adamchini, and Katarni can increase the value of non-basmati exports.
• Expanding basmati cultivation to cover the entire 6.2 million hectares of GI area can boost production and exports while promoting sustainable farming in Punjab and Haryana.
• Government procurement of non-basmati paddy in regions with less groundwater depletion, such as western UP, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam, can help reduce reliance on minimum support prices.
• High-yielding basmati varieties like Pusa Basmati-1509, developed by IARI, have shorter maturity periods (115-120 days) and higher yields (2.5 tonnes per acre) compared to traditional varieties.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Geographical Indication (GI): A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• Minimum Support Price (MSP): A form of market intervention by the Government of India to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices.