Basmati is a type of long-grained white rice with nutty flavor and a floral aroma. This slender grained aromatic rice is grown specifically at the Himalayan foothills in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Western UP, Delhi and Bihar.
It is traditionally grown in India, Pakistan and Nepal with India producing as much as two thirds of the total world supply. Basmati rice is much in demand due to its popularity in making rice pilaf and also as a side dish for curry. Basmati rice in India is predominantly for export. India is the lead exporter of this rice variety and the major import destinations are the Middle East, the UK, and the US.
Parameters that define this exotic grain
APEDA (The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) has specified certain parameters for a rice variety to be termed Basmati. The minimum average precooked milled rice length should be 6.61 mm and breadth should be up to 2 mm. Other characteristic of this variety of rice are soft and fluffy texture after cooking, distinct flavor, and delicious taste.
Want to export Basmati Rice Online? First know the secret behind the aroma
Do you know the name of the chemical compound responsible for the special aroma? It is Rice 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline.
Climate required to Grow this Fragrant Rice
The cultivation of this crop requires an evenly distributed rainfall and a temperature of 20 to 38 degrees Celsius throughout the entire period. A clear day sky and a low night temperature enable the crop to mature properly and deliver the superior cooking and eating characteristics. For best results, the crop can be grown in relatively cooler temperature. High temperature would have a negative impact on the rice features such as kernel elongation and non-stickiness of rice cooked.
Soil Required for Basmati Cultivation
Heavy neutral soils such as clay loam that can hold water for a long time is excellent to grow Basmati. Better yield would result of the ideal pH range of the soil is 5.0-8.5.
Many health benefits of this long grained rice
Basmati rice contains a good amount of fiber, starchy carbohydrates, amylase and protein. It has a lower glycemic index as compared to other varieties. This makes it ideal for people with diabetes. The low content of saturated fatty acids and high levels of fiber makes it better for heart health, as compared to other rice varieties. The fiber content in the rice breaks down steadily, making a person feel fuller for a longer span of time. Magnesium and potassium helps maintain blood pressure in the body.
Different varieties of Basmati Rice
There are two varieties of Basmati rice – White and brown. Brown Basmati rice refers to the unmilled rice where the husk is intact. The white variant is softer as well as fluffier. Brown Basmati comes with more intense flavors. According to APEDA, there are 34 varieties of Basmati notified under the Seeds Act (1966). Some of the more common variants are Dehraduni Basmati and Pusa Basmati.
Know about Pusa Basmati 1121
This is a remarkable Basmati rice variety that has been released for commercial cultivation in 2003. The grains are extra long and slender milled. The aroma is pleasant and the volume expands to more than four times after cooking. The rice comes with an appealing taste and is also easy to digest. It is grown in 70 percent of the total area under the cultivation of Basmati rice in India.
Between 2008 and 2018, the export of this rice variety has resulted in cumulative foreign exchange earnings of US$ 20.8 billion. The cultivation of this variety has emerged to be a profitable enterprise with farmers cultivating Pusa Basmati 1121 earning significantly more than those cultivating traditional Basmati rice.
Development of New Varieties
Research activities are being conducted at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, Delhi and Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) to develop crops with higher productivity and greater resistance to lodging. Moreover several agricultural universities in different states of India are also working incessantly to add to the 34 approved varieties of this fragrant rice.
Export Potential of Basmati Rice in India
Emerging opportunities in the export of organic Basmati rice from India is being validated by APEDA, which recently organized a workshop on value addition, product diversification, and the road ahead in promoting this rice variant.
This is one of the major products being exported by India. India exported 4.45 million MT of Basmati Rice with a value of US$ 4331 Million during 2019-20. The major importers include the United States, the EU, Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Overall, the export of this fragrant rice continues to do well.
Many catalysts for growth in the industry
The market for Basmati rice is a growing one and some of the factors having a positive impact on the growth of the industry are a rise in population, increase in disposable income of citizens in many rice importing countries, and an increase in awareness about the health benefits. The fact that this variety of rice is low in fat and high on nutrition is making it hugely popular. Many consumers across the globe are opting for this kind of rice in a bid to stay healthy without giving up on the good things of life.
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