Call to Maintain the Scope of the Designated Basmati Growing Area

06-Jul-2026 01:15 PM

Amritsar. Currently, only the long-grain aromatic rice produced in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and two districts of Jammu & Kashmir is recognized as authentic Basmati; producers and exporters from these regions want to ensure that no additional areas are included within this designated zone.

Moreover, the cultivation of a vast number of Basmati varieties in India already creates confusion and uncertainty in the market. Given the complexity of the issue, the Central Government is considering trimming this list. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh repeatedly claims that the long-grain aromatic rice produced in the state falls under the Basmati category and should be granted such recognition. This claim by Madhya Pradesh has further complicated the matter.

The Amritsar-based Punjab Rice Millers Exporters Association is now seeking a firm assurance from the Union Commerce Minister that neither will any new name be added to the Basmati list, nor will any new region be included in its traditional production area. The Association maintains that the existing varieties and categories of Basmati rice granted Geographical Indication (GI) status should be preserved without adding new names or regions, as doing so could exacerbate problems and difficulties in the international export market. The government should immediately consult with all stakeholders to resolve the issue before it escalates further.

In a letter to the Union Commerce Minister, the Association's Director stated that any attempt to include Madhya Pradesh within the Basmati GI area would be unacceptable, as it could have a severely adverse impact on Indian Basmati exports. Indian Basmati has established a strong foothold in the global market. It stands as a symbol of heritage and tradition; therefore, nothing should be allowed to compromise its credibility, reputation, or trustworthiness.