Government Fails In Providing Incentives For The Basmati Cultivation In Patiala

It is quite evident fact that the sowing season has started from this month however the farmers who are interested in the cultivation of basmati are still kept in dilemma from the support price of the crop as well as its marketing options by the state as well as the centre government. This confusion for the market support from the government has discourages the farmers. It is also important that the state as well as the centre government has been encouraging the farmers to cultivate this crop in Kharif season.

According to the estimate of the agricultural department of the state, the total production of the crop is expected to approximately in six hectares which was only in 4.5 hectares last year in Patiala.

According to the reports if the agricultural economists the government is supposed to promote the crop at its level best. In addition to this besides providing the refined and international standards basmati, it should also provide the farmers better marketing options along with the minimal support prices.

An agricultural economist, Kesar Singh Bhangu at the Punjab University said that marketing options with this quality of seeds is a difficult process. It is essential that the government should provide the suitable and high quality seeds in order to ensure the best crop.

The various varieties of the Basmati rice are generally sown in the month of July since in this month it consumes less water comparatively which in turn reduces the overall costs for the farmers. The conventional paddy varieties of crop take approximately 160 to 170 days for maturing and besides this it demands more water. The basmati has proved as one of the lucrative propositions for the farmers since they get only Rs. 2,300 to Rs.2, 400 per quintal in the different basmati varieties however Rs. 1,350 for the non basmati rice.