Basmati Rice News: Western Uttar Pradesh is the largest area for the cultivation of Basmati rice in UP. The farmers here cultivate Basmati on a large scale. It is exported to many countries. Basmati cultivation is also considered important in terms of economic benefits for the farmers, but in the last few years, due to indiscriminate use of pesticides in this cultivation, there has been a lot of loss and the reputation of Basmati has been affected. Even because of this, there has been a sharp decline in its exports abroad. According to international standards, the maximum pesticide residue level MRL has been set at 0.01 ppm, but it has been found to be more than the prescribed standards in Basmati rice of Western UP, due to which its export is being affected. In such a situation, an important decision has been taken to save the taste and reputation of Basmati. Under this, 10 pesticides have been banned with immediate effect, these pesticides have been banned, so that Basmati cultivation can be saved from damage. Basmati is cultivated in 30 districts of western Uttar Pradesh. These pesticides cannot be used in all these places.
Basmati cultivation area increasing in western UP
If seen, the area under cultivation of Basmati paddy is continuously increasing in Western UP. Farmers are cultivating Basmati paddy on a large scale in the western part of Uttar Pradesh. In other markets including Saharanpur area, customers have started increasing due to the smell of Basmati paddy. As soon as the arrival of Basmati starts in the market, its bidding starts. A large number of farmers have started early cultivation of Basmati, due to which they are getting good profits. Farmers are also very happy after getting good prices, but excessive use of pesticides for higher profits is now taking a heavy toll on the reputation of this farming.
Up to 15 percent decline in exports of European countries
In such a situation, 10 pesticides have been banned to save the taste and quality of Basmati. Due to excessive use of pesticides by farmers, the original taste of Basmati was deteriorating and the export of Basmati to European countries had reduced by 15 percent. Actually, Basmati rice is a Geographical Indication GI category crop of Uttar Pradesh. Agricultural chemicals are used to prevent pests and diseases. Residues of these chemicals are being found in Basmati rice.
These pesticides were banned
Tricyclazole, buprofezin, acephate, chlorpyrifos, hexacloconazole, propiconazole, thiomethoxam, profenofos, imidacloprid and carbendazim are included.
Ban on 10 pesticides in 30 districts
According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, the European Union has set the maximum pesticide residue level MRL of tricyclazole in Bamsati rice at 0.01 ppm. Due to exceeding the prescribed PPM quantity, there has been a decline of 15 percent in the exports of Europe, America and Gulf countries in the year 2021-2022 as compared to the year 2020-21. In view of this, Additional Director (Agriculture Protection) Tripurari Prasad Chaudhary has banned 10 pesticides in 30 districts. The purpose of banning them is to protect the quality of Basmati and its original taste, so that the export of Basmati can be increased again and the producers also get direct benefits from it.
Basmati is cultivated in these districts
Basmati cultivation is very popular in the western part of Uttar Pradesh. Basmati is cultivated in 30 districts of western Uttar Pradesh. These include Agra, Aligarh, Auraiya, Baghpat, Bareilly, Bijnor, Badaun, Bulandshahr, Etah, Kasganj, Farrukhabad, Firozabad, Etawah, Gaumbudh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Hathras, Mathura, Mainpuri, Meerut, Moradabad, Amroha, Kannauj, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli. , Pilibhit, Rampur, Saharanpur, Shahjahanpur, Sambhal etc.
Basmati taste spoiled due to indiscriminate use of chemicals
According to Dr. Ritesh Sharma, Principal Scientist of Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF), Modipuram, farmers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, Jammu Kashmir, Uttarakhand etc. are being asked to use less chemicals. Excessive use of pesticides has caused problems in exports to European countries, to overcome which the scientists of the institute are making efforts. These pesticides have been banned to save the taste of Basmati crop from deteriorating due to indiscriminate use of chemicals. Farmers are also being made aware of this.